Labor promises police beats for Castletown Shopping World, Willows Shopping Centre
In a $30 million boost to frontline policing, Labor has promised to deliver police beats into two Townsville shopping centres, along with two mobile police beats, if re-elected. Read the details.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two new police beats will be established in Townsville’s Castletown Shopping World and Willows Shopping Centre as part of a $30 million boost to frontline policing, if Labor is re-elected in the Queensland state election.
Pledging to deliver more police where they’re needed, Premier Steven Miles promised on Friday to deliver 10 new permanent police beats, in addition to its commitment for 25 mobile police beats across the state
Each police beat would be staffed with two police officers and two police liaison/ school support officers, to facilitate better engagement and co-ordination of police and youth engagement services – targeting anti-social behaviour and supporting young people into prevention and early intervention services.
The Townsville region would also receive two mobile police beats, building on the Premier’s evidence-based $1.28 billion Community Safety Plan targeting prevention, early intervention, and detention.
The Youth Partnership Initiative, an early intervention program, is underway at Townsville shopping centres on Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons, providing a multi-agency response to de-escalate risky behaviours and promote positive inclusion of young people congregating in or around shopping centre precincts.
A review into the program noted changes in attitude and behaviour from young people in shopping centres, fewer complaints from security, and an interface with support services.
Throwing his support behind “evidence-based solutions that deliver results”, Premier Steven Miles said he was delivering for Queensland Police asking for more mobile police beats and additional place-based solutions offering targeted prevention and intervention services.
“These 10 new police beats will offer a co-responder model, combining frontline police with liaison and support officers, meaning we can deliver a tailored response based on community and need,” Mr Miles said.
Mundingburra MP Les Walker said driving down all crime is a key priority for his party.
“I’ve heard from QPS how much of a difference the police beat makes at Stockland which is why this expansion is important,” Mr Walker said.
Quoting police statistics released this week, Labor asserts that its crime approach was making headway, with juvenile offending declining 6.3 per cent between January and September 2024.
The number of youths involved in unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences dropped by over 10 per cent, robbery offences fell by more than 14 per cent, property offences declined 5 per cent, and offences against the person fell 4 per cent.
The average number of serious repeat offenders also decreased 21 per cent from 497 in October 2023 to 393 in September 2024.
More Coverage
Originally published as Labor promises police beats for Castletown Shopping World, Willows Shopping Centre
Colourful cleaner has crack at dislodging Dametto
A school cleaner called “Bull” who was forced to move from the electorate she hopes to represent due to a recent rent hike says she will give unseating MP Nick Dametto “a fair crack” as the Labor candidate for Hinchinbrook.
REVEALED: Hidden parking report highlights council’s failures
A right to information request has unearthed the controversial report used to justify Townsville’s paid parking expansion and doubled CBD parking fees. Read how it’s opened a can of worms.