Ipswich stabbing death: Suburb in fear as crime runs rampant

Residents of an Ipswich suburb where a 70-year-old grandmother was fatally stabbed say they no longer feel safe, with crime out of control. It comes as police seek four males who can assist in the case.

Police have stepped up patrols near the scene of the horrific stabbing of a 70-year-old grandmother at Ipswich, as residents reveal they no longer feel safe in the area.

Vyleen White was stabbed to death during a carjacking at a suburban shopping centre west of Brisbane, with her distraught family declaring they want justice.

Mrs White’s daughter Danice said there was “a problem” if Queenslanders could not feel safe walking around their own communities.

In the hours after Mrs White’s death, a petition was started calling for more regular police patrols at Redbank Plains’ Town Square shopping centre, acquiring more than 1100 signatures in under 24 hours.

Organiser Taylah Jefferson said the horrific incident was not isolated.

“It adds to a growing list of assaults, thefts, and abuse that have been plaguing our community,” it said.

“We no longer feel safe going to the shops or simply enjoying the public spaces in our own neighbourhood.”

She claimed Redbank Plains had seen an “alarming” increase in crime rates over recent years.

According to the Queensland Police Service’s online crime map there were 9895 reported offences in Redbank Plains in the past five years.

Stabbing victim Vyleen White

According to the statistics, about a fifth of the offences were committed near the Town Square shopping centre, where at least two significant brawls have taken place – one involving more than 100 people and the other linked to an alleged fatal gang attack at Zillmere in Brisbane’s north.

Since February last year there were 1993 offences recorded in the suburb west of Brisbane, with a cluster of 472 offences at the shopping centre.

Ms Jefferson said the lack of a regular police presence at Town Square left residents feeling vulnerable and fearful for their safety.

“We believe that implementing regular police patrols can deter potential criminals and provide a sense of security for residents who simply want to live their lives without fear,” the petition read.

Superintendent Kylie Rigg said the Queensland Police Service was committed to combating knife crime and had already increased patrols near the scene of the stabbing.

“We currently have a mobile police feed facility there and we will make sure police are in and around there to restore community confidence and safety,” she said.

CCTV released on Sunday.

“We have a number of shopping centres in that location, and I’ll make sure that police are there, we will use mobile please beat facilities to do that and they will be very visible for the community to see.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said she shopped at the centre regularly and was shocked by the act of violence.

“I’ve always felt safe, I will continue to come here,” she said.

The mayor said she regularly communicated with local police and heard the community’s plea for an increased presence.

“I think whenever there’s a crime that people always want more and more police,” she said.

“I’m in constant contact with the local police and they are pulling out all stops, they are doing everything they can.”

“The premier has said that if they have any roadblocks, let him know he will do everything he can as well.”

Mourners at a vigil for Vyleen White at Westminster Warriors Soccer Club on Sunday evening

The Ipswich suburb of Redbank Plains has been plagued by crime.