Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Crime rate continues to decline in South Eastern Region
South Eastern Police Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson applauded police efforts that has produced a significant fall of seven percent in the overall crime rate as outlined in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review.
The Statistical Review and Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today by Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence, present a comprehensive insight into the level and nature of crime reported for each police region and district in Queensland.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner Wilson praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the South Eastern Region for their hard work and dedication to making this area a safer place.
“The government has a commitment to and investment in policing in Queensland. We are tough on crime and the causes of crime. The fact that the overall crime rate continues to fall is indicative of this stance,” Ms Spence said.
Assistant Commissioner Wilson said the figures were reflective of the positive results achieved by police and the community who had, through their continued partnerships, hard work and dedication, demonstrated an ongoing commitment to a safer community.
“South Eastern Region encompasses one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations, the Gold Coast, and that brings with it a number of important considerations and challenges,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
“Police in the South Eastern Region have a responsibility to make the region safe for tourists and residents alike and the figures released today demonstrate that we are fulfilling that responsibility.”
The Review revealed significant inroads had been made in combating most major crimes including rape and attempted rape (down by two percent), robbery (down by 24 percent) and arson (down by 22 percent).
There were 11 murders in the region, down two from the previous reporting period.
“There was a two percent rise in assaults detected which reflects the fact that the police are out there in the community targeting violent crime,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
Other sexual offences were, disappointingly, another category that saw a rise with the number of reported instances rising from 543 in 2006/07 to 786 in 2007/08. A significant number of these however were offences of a historical nature.
Instances of kidnapping and abduction, which encompasses deprivation of liberty, rose slightly by seven offences taking the total to 62.
“The majority of offences recorded under kidnapping and abduction included deprivation of a person’s liberty during domestic violence matters, serious assaults and assaults of a minor nature and also any approaches of a threatening nature where there is no actual physical abduction, for example, approaches made to a member of the community in the street by a person not known to them,” he said.
“The significant decline in a broad range of property crimes is pleasing to report. Not only have instances of arson been reduced but other categories including all types of break-ins, other property damage and unlawful use of motor vehicles have all fallen considerably.
“Overall break-ins declined by seven percent. This strong result was built on declines in home break-ins (down by five percent), shop break-ins (down by 17 percent) and other break-ins (down by eight percent).
“Other property damage fell by 12 percent, unlawful use of motor vehicle declined by 10 percent and other theft decreased by 15 percent.
“The community should be applauded for these results. Policing alone cannot deter thieves. The community in 2007/08 has made a concerted effort to secure their homes, cars and businesses.”
Assistant Commissioner Wilson said fraud was the category that saw some of the most significant decreases in this reporting period.
“We’ve been able to drive fraud down by 35 percent. Broken down that’s a 47 percent decrease in computer fraud, an 18 percent decrease in cheque fraud, a 13 percent decrease in credit card fraud and a 45 percent decrease in other fraud,” he said.
“Police are concerned by the frequency of identity fraud. There were 133 instances reported and I’d like to take this opportunity to stress that people need to exercise vigilance when conducting online transactions. Remember if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Prostitution offences declined with the rate falling by 35 percent.
Police underlined their commitment to ensuring the region’s reputation as a premier tourist destination by cracking down on liquor and good order offences in 2007/08.
“Sometimes an increase in certain types of crimes is actually a reflection that the police are out on the beat in force, making arrests and ensuring that law abiding citizens are safe.”
“This year we’ve seen liquor offences rise by 141 detected offences to a total of 465. Good Order offences have also risen from 5594 in 2006/07 to 7945 2007/08. This often happens when we get more police on the street clamping down on anti-social behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said.
South Eastern Region encompasses the two policing districts of Gold Coast and Logan.
Note: All percentages used in the release relate to the number of offences per 100,000 people. Media seeking regional and district crime statistics from the Queensland Police Service 2007-08 Annual Statistical Review can locate details on the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au. There is a link from the homepage to the current statistical review, which was tabled in State Parliament.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Police media – 3015 2444
The Statistical Review and Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today by Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence, present a comprehensive insight into the level and nature of crime reported for each police region and district in Queensland.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner Wilson praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the South Eastern Region for their hard work and dedication to making this area a safer place.
“The government has a commitment to and investment in policing in Queensland. We are tough on crime and the causes of crime. The fact that the overall crime rate continues to fall is indicative of this stance,” Ms Spence said.
Assistant Commissioner Wilson said the figures were reflective of the positive results achieved by police and the community who had, through their continued partnerships, hard work and dedication, demonstrated an ongoing commitment to a safer community.
“South Eastern Region encompasses one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations, the Gold Coast, and that brings with it a number of important considerations and challenges,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
“Police in the South Eastern Region have a responsibility to make the region safe for tourists and residents alike and the figures released today demonstrate that we are fulfilling that responsibility.”
The Review revealed significant inroads had been made in combating most major crimes including rape and attempted rape (down by two percent), robbery (down by 24 percent) and arson (down by 22 percent).
There were 11 murders in the region, down two from the previous reporting period.
“There was a two percent rise in assaults detected which reflects the fact that the police are out there in the community targeting violent crime,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
Other sexual offences were, disappointingly, another category that saw a rise with the number of reported instances rising from 543 in 2006/07 to 786 in 2007/08. A significant number of these however were offences of a historical nature.
Instances of kidnapping and abduction, which encompasses deprivation of liberty, rose slightly by seven offences taking the total to 62.
“The majority of offences recorded under kidnapping and abduction included deprivation of a person’s liberty during domestic violence matters, serious assaults and assaults of a minor nature and also any approaches of a threatening nature where there is no actual physical abduction, for example, approaches made to a member of the community in the street by a person not known to them,” he said.
“The significant decline in a broad range of property crimes is pleasing to report. Not only have instances of arson been reduced but other categories including all types of break-ins, other property damage and unlawful use of motor vehicles have all fallen considerably.
“Overall break-ins declined by seven percent. This strong result was built on declines in home break-ins (down by five percent), shop break-ins (down by 17 percent) and other break-ins (down by eight percent).
“Other property damage fell by 12 percent, unlawful use of motor vehicle declined by 10 percent and other theft decreased by 15 percent.
“The community should be applauded for these results. Policing alone cannot deter thieves. The community in 2007/08 has made a concerted effort to secure their homes, cars and businesses.”
Assistant Commissioner Wilson said fraud was the category that saw some of the most significant decreases in this reporting period.
“We’ve been able to drive fraud down by 35 percent. Broken down that’s a 47 percent decrease in computer fraud, an 18 percent decrease in cheque fraud, a 13 percent decrease in credit card fraud and a 45 percent decrease in other fraud,” he said.
“Police are concerned by the frequency of identity fraud. There were 133 instances reported and I’d like to take this opportunity to stress that people need to exercise vigilance when conducting online transactions. Remember if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Prostitution offences declined with the rate falling by 35 percent.
Police underlined their commitment to ensuring the region’s reputation as a premier tourist destination by cracking down on liquor and good order offences in 2007/08.
“Sometimes an increase in certain types of crimes is actually a reflection that the police are out on the beat in force, making arrests and ensuring that law abiding citizens are safe.”
“This year we’ve seen liquor offences rise by 141 detected offences to a total of 465. Good Order offences have also risen from 5594 in 2006/07 to 7945 2007/08. This often happens when we get more police on the street clamping down on anti-social behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said.
South Eastern Region encompasses the two policing districts of Gold Coast and Logan.
Note: All percentages used in the release relate to the number of offences per 100,000 people. Media seeking regional and district crime statistics from the Queensland Police Service 2007-08 Annual Statistical Review can locate details on the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au. There is a link from the homepage to the current statistical review, which was tabled in State Parliament.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Police media – 3015 2444