Justin Lane area a crime hot spot as City prepares to increase CCTV to stop assaults in Burleigh
Burleigh’s crime wave has taken off by almost 10 per cent in a year, a new report warns. Here’s what has authorities most worried.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Burleigh’s crime wave has taken off by almost 10 per cent in a year with the rundown Justin Lane area the biggest safety hot spot, warns a new report.
City officers have investigated community safety in the troubled coastal village which includes a deep dive into the latest crime data from police and “environmental check” on locations.
This follows council receiving a petition for a memorial for young Cameron Duce. The 22-year-old was found unresponsive by members of the public about 2.30am on September 20 last year after sustaining a serious head injury. He died days later. An 18-year-old man has since been charged with unlawful striking causing death.
The tragedy sparked a crime debate and a $4.1m election winning pledge by then LNP candidate Hermann Vorster to establish a dedicated police beat in Burleigh and expand CCTV.
The Bulletin last week revealed the proposed police beat has no timeline, with a “diabolical” budget situation within the Queensland Police Service being blamed. Mr Vorster, the Burleigh MP, vows it will be delivered.
City officers will present a report to be debated on Tuesday at a planning committee meeting.
It includes data from a QPS Online Crime Map for the 12 months from January 2024 which shows 1372 recorded offences, suggesting a peak time of midnight on a Saturday for most serious incidents.
Between October 2023 to September 2024, there were 4079 offences – an increase of more than 9.9 per cent on the previous 12 months.
Police are busy either moving people on from licenced venues, arresting drug offenders or dealing with youths breaking into shops. A heat map identifies the worst areas.
Queensland police officers told council there were regular vehicle and foot patrols conducted in Burleigh Heads with officers often stationed there during Friday and Saturday nights.
The incidents and offences “have been sporadic and unpredictable”.
Police sources said the increased crime on Saturday nights and into the early hours of Sunday morning was further proof a dedicated police beat was needed.
“Burleigh on a Saturday night is very different to the Burleigh most of us experience on a Tuesday morning or a Thursday afternoon,” an officer on the southern Gold Coast said.
“It’s alcohol fuelled violence that is the problem. People having too much in the licenced premises and then they’re out onto the streets and becoming a public nuisance.
“We had a case recently where a known sports identity stumbled out of one of the venues, vomited onto the floor in front of bystanders, then walked back into the premises, presumably to continue drinking.
“That sort of behaviour should not be accepted by the venues yet that is what’s going on.”
The petition signed by more than 320 people called for a comprehensive safety audit of the Burleigh Heads village, focusing on lighting, passive surveillance and safety cameras.
Residents wanted council to reaffirm its commitment to deliver at least 40 additional safety cameras in and around the village along with funding from the State or Commonwealth.
Much of Burleigh presented well as “tidy and clean”, but late night trading had changed the atmosphere with three licensed venues operating after midnight.
“Justin Lane presented with poor waste management and vandalism including graffiti,” officers wrote in their report, adding that the rundown state of the laneway between West St and the Gold Coast Highway encouraged anti-social behaviour.
“A large portion of Justin Lane is private property and improvements would require collaboration between business operators, property owners and the City.”
Councillor Josh Martin said it was important to understand the petition arose from a tragedy with the death of Cameron Duce.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends as we consider this,” he said.
Mr Martin said he supports council initiatives which enhance safety in Burleigh Heads, including expanded CCTV coverage and improved public lighting.
“It’s also reassuring to see that Burleigh Heads will be prioritised for additional Safety Camera Network cameras, increasing the total in the area to over 40,” he said.
Mr Martin said he had ongoing discussions with Mr Vorster about how council and the Government can work together to enhance safety in Burleigh Heads, given the State’s welcome commitment to a new police beat.
“We do know that the perception of crime can be just as important as actual crime statistics, so it is important to respond to community concerns,” he said.
“Council has recently undertaken a body of work designed to improve the visual amenity of Burleigh Heads through a placemaking plan which I look forward to progressing once the light rail works are complete.
“In the meantime, I will continue to support events and activations to keep our public spaces vibrant while also working to improve safety for both residents and businesses.”
More Coverage
Killer driver learns fate as victim’s family weeps
A woman who left the country after she killed a motorcyclist in a crash has been sentenced in court, while the rider’s family – gathered in the gallery from across the country – were finally brought closure.
Cyclone Alfred: Which Gold Coast events have been cancelled
Events scheduled across the Gold Coast this week have been rescheduled, cancelled – or are still up in the air – as Cyclone Alfred approaches. Stay up to date here