Crime isn't on the rise: police

CRIME in Rosewood has not grown, according to police statistics – despite local comment to the contrary.

CRIME in Rosewood has not grown, according to police statistics - despite local comment to the contrary.

In a statement to The Queensland Times, a Queensland Police Service spokesman said the latest statistics showed no noticeable rise in crime in the area.

"Crime trends are continually monitored within each district, with the most recent comparisons for the period between January 1, 2007, and September 30, 2011, showing no significant increase in the Rosewood Division," the spokesman said.

"However, each reported case would need to be examined individually to establish if the matter related to 'late night crime'."

Rosewood residents, including Ipswich City councillor David Pahlke, have been calling for the Rosewood Police Station to be made a 24-hour station after a spate of crimes by teenagers.

Residents cite graffiti, public nuisance and damage to property occurring late at night in the small town as growing issues for the area.

However, Cr Pahlke admits he understands these rank low on the scale of police priorities.

If a crime occurs after the Rosewood station has closed, an officer from Ipswich will be tasked to the incident, which Cr Pahlke said lead to long response times.

However, state member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt, along with the Police Union president Ian Leavers, said the increase in staffing required for a 24-hour station was unnecessary for the amount of crime in Rosewood.

The QPS spokesman said while the service understood community concerns, there was no plan to change staffing levels at the Rosewood station.

"The QPS is well aware of the pressures on policing response and is continually evaluating resourcing requirements, within the context of providing equitable services to all communities in Queensland," he said.

"The QPS assesses a range of factors, including crime rates and demographic trends, when deciding on equitable staffing levels and configurations across the state. Staffing levels are evaluated on a yearly basis.

"At this time, these factors do not support the need for a 24-hour station in Rosewood."

The Rosewood station is manned by four police officers working shifts between 7am and 10pm on Monday to Thursday, 7am to 2am on Friday and Saturday and varying hours on Sunday.

According to the QPS these hours have been based on historical callout trends for the station.

Originally published as Crime isn't on the rise: police