Bombshell safety report: Safe City Survey results 2024 by Gold Coast City Council

Less than a third of people feel safe on the Gold Coast at night as perceptions about security have taken a dive since Covid. Read the bombshell survey

Less than a third of people feel safe on the Gold Coast at night as perceptions about security have taken a dive since Covid, according to a new city-wide survey by council.

The findings have shocked City Hall and occur against a backdrop of Queensland Police Service data which shows no major increase in the worst of crimes.

Key data from the Safe City Survey compared to 2021 results include:

* 48 per cent of people feel safe living on the Coast – a decrease of 15 per cent.

* 29 per cent of people feel safe at night in the city – down by 6 per cent.

* 73 per cent of people feel safe during the day – a decrease of 15 per cent.

* 16 per cent feel safe on public transport during the night – a decrease of 2 per cent

* 52 per cent believe they are okay during the day in the city – a decrease of 12 per cent.

The 2024 survey shows 61 per cent of respondents felt safe in their neighbourhood, – a decrease of 11.7 per cent from the 2021 polling. The City’s benchmark target is 73.5 per cent.

A new Gold Coast City Council report talks about perceptions of safety in the city.

Council officers believe the results are swayed by crime reporting on major incidents elsewhere in Australia, including the Bondi Junction stabbings.

“Residents are more connected online and this includes community pages where information about crime and anti-social behaviour perceived or observed to be occurring locally is shared and discussed,” they wrote in a report.

They also pointed to “timing” with the previous surveying conducted during Covid lockdowns.

“For example, in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic residents may have increased perceptions of safety due to Covid restrictions, reduced tourism and an increased working from home arrangements,” officers said.

Lifestyle committee chairman Glenn Tozer, who will oversee debate on the report at a meeting on Thursday, said residents were perceiving they were less safe while the data showed general crime rates remained stable.

“What that says to us is people’s perceptions of safety is not just influenced by actual crime occurring, it’s influenced by the way we talk about crime in the media and other places like social media,” he said.

“It is important we have a bit of perspective about this.”

Cr Tozer acknowledged the state election with the Opposition debating crime was a factor.

“Look the people on the Gold Coast are intelligent people, they can see when an election is looming, the political dialogue shapes how people think about the issues matter to them,” he said.

A crime scene in Macquarie Ave, Molendinar. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

The City received 4723 responses during April and May this year, of which 90 per cent of people were Coast residents – the others did not live here or were visitors to the city.

The report showed 61 per cent of respondents were female and 42 per cent of respondents were between the ages of 45 and 64 years old.

Respondents in western suburbs feel the safest in their neighbourhood at 66 per cent.

Lifestyle committee chair Glenn Tozer — to debate new safety report. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

The top safety concerns were:

1. 53 per cent robbery/ burglary (break ins) – an increase of 18 per cent.

2. 40 per cent car theft – up 7 per cent.

3. 30 per cent anti-social behaviour – down 3 per cent.

4. 28 per cent driver behaviour (speeding and other).

5. 25 per cent drug use – down by 23 per cent.

QPS data for 2021 to 2024 shows robbery statistics remained relatively stable between these periods while there was an increase of approximately 400 unlawful entry offences.

Car theft had a 20 per cent increase between surveys. For anti-social behaviour, there were boosts of 10 per cent in good order offences and a 9 per cent in public nuisance offences.

Driver behaviour had a significant increase (42 per cent) in traffic and related offences, however a decrease of dangerous operation of a vehicle.

Drug use recorded a significant increase (41 per cent) between survey periods.

“It is likely that population growth has contributed to the increase in offence count data, and additionally is noted that persons responsible for committing offences may travel to the Gold Coast due to its attraction as an entertainment and tourist destination and not reside permanently in the city,” officers said.

Crime reporting on the television news — a fire scene. Source - Caitlin Sheiwe, 9 News.

An analysis of the top safety concerns and offence data was completed by the Community Safety team.

“There is no direct link between the top safety concerns and increased offences,” officers said.

“Drug use was the top safety concern in 2021 and dropped to the 5th ranked safety concern this year. During this period, the offence count has risen by 41 per cent.

“It is also worth noting that drug use has the highest offence count for any of the top safety concerns.”

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