Police crackdown on Gold Coast crime

Police Minister Jack Dempsey today announced a further crackdown on gun crime and outlaw motorcycle gang activity on the Gold Coast.

“The government and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) have been active in ensuring public safety in the Gold Coast region in the face of unwanted activity by motorcycle gangs for some time,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Recent incidents on the Gold Coast have increased our determination to force these people to either behave or be gone.

“I’ve today instructed the Police Commissioner to ramp up measures to make these gangs aware we will not tolerate their behaviour.

“The Gold Coast is by and large a safe and secure place, but recent gun crimes, and links to outlaw motorcycle gangs highlight the need for a zero tolerance approach to deal with a small minority of trouble makers.

“The message is clear: you are not welcome on the Gold Coast.”

Mr Dempsey said the Police Commissioner would have whatever additional resources he believed were necessary to carry out this crackdown.

The zero tolerance police crackdown will be backed by tougher penalties and sentences the Newman Government has already put in place.

In addition to these the Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie will consider other measures to assist in the crackdown.

“Already we are working to have one bikie gang, the Gold Coast Finks, to be declared a criminal organisation,” Mr Bleijie said.

“I would support any move to have that declaration extended to other outlaw motorcycle gangs as well.”

Already the Queensland Government has introduced the following measures to deal with crime:

• Mandatory minimum sentencing for the possession and trafficking of firearms;
• Doubled penalty for assault on a police officer, and introduced minimum mandatory non-parole period of 25 years for the murder of a police officer;
• Significantly increased police numbers across the State, including the South East region;
• Tougher penalties for drug trafficking; and
• Toughest unexplained wealth laws in the country.

“What we are seeing is the result of years of the former Labor Government being soft on crime and failing to adequately resource our crime fighters. That approach is over,” Mr Bleijie said.

[ENDS] 28 September 2013

Media contacts:          Minister Dempsey: Lea Emery 0417 226 114

                                    Minister Bleijie: Ash McDermid 0412 731 355