Booming Northern Gold Coast in need of more cops fast says MP

NEW figures have revealed the suburb on the Gold Coast which accounts for a quarter of all illegal entries in the region — despite having nearly half the number of police.

THE city’s fast-growing northern suburbs account for up to a quarter of all break-ins on the Gold Coast, new figures reveal.

Yet the area has nearly half the number of police officers than inner-city hot spots.

Queensland Police figures show break-ins and property invasions (897) in the Coomera police district in the 12 months to June accounted for nearly 25 per cent of the 3881 unlawful entries Coast-wide.

Courtney Whitehead is one of the many Coomera residents who has reported a break in to her home. Thieves took off with valuable makeup brushes which Courtney uses as part of her business. Picture: Jerad Williams

Vehicle break-ins were also high in the area — which encompasses Pimpama, Helensvale, Oxenford, Upper Coomera and Pacific Pines — making up 20 per cent of the 1064 offences across the city.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon said people were taking advantage of the limited police numbers.

“Some of these crooks aren't stupid. They know where there are limited police resources so why wouldn't they go to those areas.”

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Coomera MP Michael Crandon wants to see more police for the Northern suburbs of the Gold Coast.

Mr Crandon said the police presence was not enough to keep up with the booming population.

“Population wise, we have the fastest-growing area in the state. It is not a lack of response by police, they have a large area to service and are doing their job as best they can.”

As of April, the Coomera district had 67 full-time equivalent officers, significantly lower than that of the Southport and Surfers Paradise district, which had over 100 each.

Aerial view of residential housing around the Coomera River on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

However, Officer in Charge of the Coomera District Senior Sargent Andrew Godbold said the rates of unlawful entries and robberies had decreased despite the rapid population growth.

The rate of car robberies had also dropped by 14 per cent in the past year.

“We are the largest police district on the Gold Coast. It is almost 500 square kilometres,” Sgt Godbold said.

“A majority of these crimes are opportunistic so we encourage people to keep an eye out as best them can and remain vigilant.

“I believe there are a number of contributing factors but as I am aware the rates compared to population would be lower,” he said.

BURNT-OUT POLICE DEAL WITH MASSIVE WORKLOAD AS POPULATION BOOMS

Courtney Whitehead is one of the many Coomera residents who has reported a theft at her home. She has been left terrified since the incident and unable to get a good nights sleep. Picture: Jerad Williams

Coomera woman Courtney Whitehead said the petty crime had affected both her home life and business.

Two weeks ago the part-time makeup artist woke to find a number of her possessions missing.

Tools used for her mobile hair and make-up clients had been nabbed, along with professional make-up brushes worth over $2000 and a new iPhone.

Ms Whitehead said she later found a number of her business cards had been strewn up the driveway of a neighbour.

“I am now terrified, I haven’t slept a full night since the incident. I feel totally violated.”

The northern Gold Coast is booming. Pic by Richard Gosling

Another Coomera resident Dave, who chose not to be identified, last week saw someone enter his home while he was loading his ute for work.

“I heard someone trip over some shoes while I was grabbing something from upstairs. Once I came down they had gone.

“I learnt two days later the family down the street were broken into at the same time.

“It is just frustrating you buy a house which you want to be your forever home, but then you don’t feel safe.

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“There have been a few occasions where you see someone in your backyard or trying to get into your house.”

Sgt Godbold said a lack of secure parking in new developments was a contributing factor for the number of thefts from cars, as owners are forced to keep their property on the street.

“People from outside the Gold Coast have been known to target residential centres,” he said.

“I would always like to see the right number of crews to service the area as it grows,” he said.