Crims target laid-back homeowners in alarming offence rate up-tick

A whopping spike in crime in one of Cairns’ most renowned suburbs for safety has rattled residents so much they’ve issued a rallying call and are now fighting back against a surge in break-ins and car thefts.

CRIME has more than doubled in one of Cairns’ most renowned suburbs for safety, rattling residents so much they’ve issued a rallying call and are now fighting back against a surge in break-ins and car thefts.

Queensland Police data reveals crime rates in Freshwater in the two years to November 2021 amounted to 105 offences, however in past 12 months 73 offences were recorded.

Offence rates have skyrocketed from 32 in 2020 to 73 in the 12 months to November this year.

The big increase – primarily in property crime – has triggered letterbox drops warning residents who are not on social media to lock up and be vigilant.

Karen Lloyd-Collins is part of a group of 12 volunteers that have distributed more than 850 flyers throughout Freshwater.

Another run of 800, printed for free through Barron River MP Craig Crawford’s office, will be distributed around Stratford and Aeroglen this week.

She said the group was taking a proactive stance against crims who were now wise to Freshwater homes being an easy target.

“We are trying to get the message out to everyone to lock up, people have just been too relaxed,” she said.

Leafy suburbs of Freshwater and Stratford are no longer sheltered from a citywide crime problem. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“I feel that these perpetrators have discovered our community has been a bit too laid back with security.

“We are taking the power back into our own hands by saying ‘we are not going to be preyed upon’.”

Director of Marlin Coast Alarms Josh Hughes lives in Freshwater. Property crime throughout the city meant he has struggled to keep up with demand for security installations, but there was not much call for work where he lived, until recently.

Freshwater residents have been proactive about crime messaging. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“Definitely the domestic side of things has picked up a lot, I am also an electrician and we do a lot of sensor lights. People are doing everything they can to try and deter it,” he said.

“We have been (in Freshwater) three years and it was great the first two years but in the last year it has gotten a lot worse.

“I don’t think it matters where you live these days, it crazy.”

The business has offered alarm system discounts to residents living in Freshwater, Stratford and Aeroglen concerned about being victim to break-ins.

“We are just helping out in the area because we have noticed a sudden crime spike.” he said.

Former Freshwater resident Amber Peters, who runs the Stratford Community Hall, said it was clear Freshwater homes were not immune to crime based on latest spate of break-ins.

“You would have to change your mind with the high crime rate, if you don’t change your mind you are likely to get robbed, but a lot of people feel safer in Stratford and Freshwater,” she said.

“Really, it doesn’t matter where you live these days, but when I lived there, there was not a problem.”

Acting Senior Constable Cameron Joinbee said a crime cycle often resulted in a spate of offences in the one area.

“They’re stealing cars now. So they can go to one area, steal a car and go to the next car in the next suburb,” he said.

“And then often, they’ll have a break from one suburb they’ll move to the next, just like clockwork.

“A lot of people just think ‘oh, well, it hasn’t happened for a while now. So I’ll just relax a bit’. We can’t take that approach.

“We have just got to stay vigilant and lock all your properties up because there’s nothing worse than waking up knowing some stranger has been through your house and through your belongings and then finally in the car that you’ve worked hard to get.”

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Originally published as Crims target laid-back homeowners in alarming offence rate up-tick