What will worry you about new drug crime statistics on the Gold Coast

NEW data has revealed the surprising number of drug-related crimes which occurred on the Gold Coast in the past year. The figure is raising eyebrows, with a prominent criminologist revealing what caused it to happen.

NEW crime data flags concerns that Gold Coast cops do not have dedicated teams of detectives to chase down druggies on the Glitter Strip.

Bond University criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy yesterday renewed calls for a drug squad for the Coast after number crunching statistics for the past financial year.

Reported drug offences for the Coast have decreased from 8917 to 7650 in the past 12 months, down by 12.2 per cent, which compares to a statewide drop of six per cent.

Dr Goldsworthy said he believed the decrease was driven by was a lack of proactive policing where cops conduct surveillance and raids.

Police on patrol in Surfers Paradise. Picture Glenn Hampson

“In other words we are seeing more crime reported by the public, but less enforcement actions by the police in the areas such as drugs and weapon crime for instance,” he said.

The statistics showed a turnaround from 2014 when Commissioner Ian Stewart had remarked about the increase in drug arrests and arrests for street offences, which illustrated the police effort.

The new Coast figures are against a backdrop where the Gold Coast Bulletin in the past month during its Golden Age series reported:

* The call for a dedicated drug squad bringing the city on par with police resourcing in regional centres like Townsville and Cairns.

* Police numbers were going backwards with almost 100 less cops on the Coast despite promises of recruits to boost the ranks made before last year’s state election.

* A group, calling itself the Pimpama Civilian Response Team and comprising about 20 locals, announced it would will patrol northern Coast at night to deter criminals and make a citizen’s arrest of anyone caught doing the wrong thing.

Dr Terry Goldsworthy who has number crunched new crime figures. Pic by Richard Gosling

A Gold Coast police source said the latest figures cast a poor light on resourcing.

“On the Gold Coast you must have a strong increase in good order offences. You are an entertainment precinct,” the police source said.

“We certainly have an alarming reputation for drug abuse. Your drug arrests crime must increase (to show police are working). You must have a decrease in robberies.

“One of the biggest damning things with reported drug offences is the rest of the State is holding ground. Anyone who doesn’t think you have a drug problem here, you are living in a cave.”

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A police spokesman said drug offences and prosecuting people who commit drug offences remained a priority for police within the Coast District.

The QPS encouraged residents who suspected drug activity to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, which offer the ability to remain anonymous.

“Recently the Gold Coast District established a District Tasking and Co-ordination Centre which overviews and co-ordinates district resources to ensure a timely police response to all calls for service and incidents of crime throughout the Gold Coast,” the spokesman said.

“Additionally, using the QPS priority policing response policy, this centre also focuses on urgently responding to incidents where personal safety is at risk.

“The aim of the centre is to ensure policing resources are used to their fullest. When not directly responding to calls for service, officers are directed, using intelligence based data, to undertake high visibility patrols of locations to reduce the likelihood of offences occurring.”