A number of initiatives, such as increasing the number of frontline police and introducing tougher laws, tackling crime in Queensland are having a positive impact according to new statistics.
Premier Campbell Newman, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said in an August 6 governmental media release that reported offences in Queensland decreased 11 per cent in 2013/2014.
Premier Campbell Newman stated that the government is committed to taking a tough stance against crime and increasing the number of frontline police in Queensland.
“The rate of reported offences against property has dropped 11 per cent across Queensland, a reduction of almost 22,000 offences. That’s the equivalent of making all the homes safer in a town the size of Maryborough or Mt Isa,” emphasised Mr Newman.
“Almost 2,300 fewer cars have been stolen and there were more than 8,000 fewer break-ins to homes and businesses, meaning more and more hard-working mums and dads can go about their day-to-day lives without fear of becoming a victim of crime.”
The most significant decrease in crime was for reported homicide and arson, which were both down by 20 per cent.
New laws regarding criminal gangs are making Queenslanders feel safer according to a new government survey. The results, which were reported in a August 4 press release, showed there was increasing support in the community for initiatives that target criminal gangs, such as making criminal gang club houses illegal and prohibiting criminal gang members from owning particular businesses.
Minister for Police Jack Dempsey said the results reiterate the importance of the new laws. The survey found that 78 per cent of respondents agree the tough measures against criminal gangs should be retained. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64.6 per cent) also had strong or very strong support for more law enforcement measures.
More Queensland streets are also staying graffiti-free following the introduction of the Government’s mandatory graffiti removal order. The new orders make convicted vandals clean up their own messes. The maximum sentence for vandalism was increased to seven years, too.
Since the changes were implemented a year ago, the graffiti crime rate in Queensland has decreased by 25 per cent, according to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie in an August 3 statement.
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