Latest crime stats reveal state ‘can’t fix crisis’, LNP says

Assaults, break-ins and car thefts are on the rise in Queensland, contributing to the state’s highest crime rate in more than 20 years.

More than 50,000 offences were committed every month in Queensland last year – the highest rate this century – with assaults, break-ins and car thefts among the crimes on the rise.

The shocking details from the latest annual Queensland Crime Statistics has sparked renewed claims the government has been unable to fix the crisis plaguing the state.

Analysis of the 2023 data released by the Queensland Police Service has revealed there were 603,321 offences last year – a rate of 50,276 per month – which cemented last year as the worst for crime since at least 2001.

The 2023 total was a 7.3 per cent jump from the 562,022 committed in 2022.

Unlawful entry offences rose 5 per cent in 2023 to 49,904 and robbery incidents jumped 16 per cent to 3189, while the number of assault offences increased 11 per cent to 57,654.

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The state government argues the increase in assaults was a result of domestic violence data being included since 2021 and said its tough-on-crime laws were showing signs of working as the year went on.

Offences involving the unlawful use of a motor vehicle increased by 949 to 20,211.

The number of murders decreased from 54 in 2022 to 48 in 2023, but sexual offences increased by 5819 to 57,654.

There were 63,005 drug offences in 2023 – 295 fewer than one year earlier.

Assault, sexual and robbery offences last year was the highest in at least 22 years.

Traffic and related offences were steady at 43,445.

The 7.3 per cent increase in all offences in 2023 compares to population growth in Queensland of about 2.9 per cent.

Premier Steven Miles on Tuesday acknowledged the government’s efforts to decrease offending needed to progress more quickly, and in his first major speech last month declared keeping Queenslanders safe was the government’s most important obligation.

While the government has repeatedly said there was no quick solution, statistics reveal the situation is worsening.

Since Labor was elected nine years ago the number of offences has soared by 31 per cent.

There were 460,162 offences in 2015 compared to 603,321 in 2023.

Over the same period Queensland’s population has increased by 15 per cent.

The number of assault offences since 2015 are up 219 per cent – which the government said was due to new reporting – while unlawful entry has increased 54 per cent and unlawful use of a motor vehicle has jumped 115 per cent.

LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the government was unable to solve a crime crisis it created.

“Despite all the promises and rhetoric, these new statistics reveal nothing has changed,” he said.

“Labor has rolled out different laws, recycled plans and different faces, but this is the categoric proof the crime crisis has got worse under their watch.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said in some areas of the state, such as parts of South East Queensland, Cairns and Toowoomba, there had been encouraging results following action of police and partners.

“What we know is that stronger laws, harsher penalties and increased police activity means more offences are detected and reported.

“We have made it clear that responding to crime and supporting community safety is one of the highest priorities of government, which is why our government will continue to boost police resources.

“It’s important to note that the Opposition voted for the Strengthening Community Safety Act, which is already seeing some positive results in targeting the cohort of serious repeat young offenders.”

Australian Bureau of Statistics data for 2022 revealed there were almost 200,000 victims of crime in Queensland, a 15 per cent increase on 2021 and higher than any other state.