Qld crime: Regional rates outstripping those of cities

Crime rates in parts of regional Queensland have skyrocketed to more than four times those of metropolitan areas. CHECK YOUR AREA

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Crime rates in parts of regional Queensland have skyrocketed to more than four times those of metropolitan areas, amid calls for the government to give more attention to recruiting police to work in the bush.

It came as Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers was appointed cross-border commissioner after a surge in crime in the southern border town of Goondiwindi, leaving residents afraid in their own homes.

This story is part of News Corp Australia’s Bush Summit series celebrating rural and regional Australia and championing the issues that matter most to those living in the bush. You can read all our coverage here

Mr Leavers said regional police are facing different and complex challenges when compared to their city counterparts, calling for more incentives and benefits.

According to Queensland police data, crime rates in some regional centres were astronomically higher than those in metropolitan areas.

In May this year, the overall crime rate in the outback city of Mount Isa – home to just 18,000 – was more than 4000 offences per 100,000 people.

Townsville, which is often dubbed the state’s crime capital, had the second highest crime rate of 1541 offences per 100,000 people, closely followed by the Far North with 1473 offences per 100,000.

Mackay and Capricornia districts also outnumbered the southeast corner, recording 953 and 1081 offences per 100,000 people, respectively.

Rodger Winch of Mt Isa has fitted his home with security cameras and flood lights due to the current crime wave.

In comparison, northern Brisbane recorded 885 offences per 100,000 people, and southern Brisbane just 713.

Break-in rates in Mount Isa soared to more than 230 offences per 100,000 people in May, compared to a rate of just 66 and 67 break-ins in northern and southern Brisbane.

Car thefts also painted a similar picture – a rate of 71 and 50 stolen cars per 100,000 people in Mount Isa and Townsville, compared with just 27 in northern Brisbane.

Despite the shocking numbers, Mr Leavers said police who had worked in rural and remote postings often saw it as the most rewarding time of their career.

“From a professional point of view, they are exposed to a wide variety of work not seen in metropolitan areas, they are proactive in the community rather than reactive and can follow an investigation through,” Mr Leavers said.

“Police are really embedded in the community when they are off-duty and enjoy the opportunity to become involved in local sport and activities, along with developing strong bonds in the towns where they live and work.”

A street brawl in Boggabilla, near Goondiwindi, where crime is spiralling out of control.

Mr Leavers said while there needed to be more police in every community, a stronger focus on recruitment in regional parts was crucial.

“Regional areas are places that should be a greater focus for police recruiters,” he said.

“We believe there should always be more police in every community.

“It enhances the security a community feels and complements operational safety.”

Mr Leavers said there also needed to be a greater focus on helping partners of officers gain work in the community.

Speaking Thursday morning, Mr Leavers said he believed “early intervention” was the key to addressing crime sprees in border communities.

“Early intervention is the key to this and sadly some children are born into a life that they are set to fail before they start,” he told The Today Show.

“I ran a national symposium on youth crime, it is all about early intervention and supports but it requires agencies, government and otherwise to work together – that is imperative.

“We can’t arrest our way out of it, that’s only a short-term solution.

“I think there are other things we can do to give young kids a chance so they don’t end up in this vicious cycle.”

Goondiwindi councillor and former police officer Rick Kearney said he believed Mr Leavers was the “right person” for the job.

“I believe he is the right person…he does have a lot of challenges ahead of him…he’s got to look after Coolangatta to Cameron Corner…Goondiwindi has 420kms of NSW border,” Mr Kearney told The Today Show.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in Ian.”

Mr Kearney said he moved to Goondiwindi in 1988 as a sergeant and “just after the infamous 1987 riots in town”.

“(Crime sprees) have been going on for a long time but not to this extent…it is becoming more and more violent,” he said.

“I think it is because the offenders, they commit small crimes to start with and then they go before the system – either the police system or judiciary system and then they are not dealt with adequately.”

“(Young people) keep pushing the boundaries.”

The Police Federation of Australia has approached the federal government with proposals to consider tax benefits and incentives for police serving in remote communities.