New Gold Coast police beat as State poll turns to solving northern crime wave

LABOR and the LNP are both weighing into Gold Coast law and order issues, with the campaign promise of a new police beat in the city’s north.

THE focus of the State campaign on the Gold Coast is about to turn to police with promises for a new neighbourhood cop beat.

LNP Bonney candidate Sam O’Connor after meeting with leader Tim Nicholls has announced the LNP in government would spend $300,000 on a police beat at Labrador.

Bonney LNP candidate Sam O'Connor is upbeat after the announcement of a new police beat in Labrador. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr O’Connor sought the commitment for a shopfront police beat after extensive doorknocking with locals.

Residents in Labrador raised crime as their number one issue and a bigger priority than those living in Parkwood and Arundel where there is an existing police beat.

“The number one issue I hear about is crime,” Mr O’Connor told the Bulletin.

“People constantly tell me they don’t feel safe and rising local crime rates back that up. This is a huge win for our community and will go a long way towards making Labrador safer.

Police Minister Mark Ryan will be talking up the Government’s commitment to policing numbers on the Coast. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“Crime is out of control in many parts of the State under Annastacia Palaszczuk and her soft-on-crime attitude that favours offenders over victims and families.”

Latest crime statistics for the new Coast seat of Bonney reveals assaults have increased by almost 28 per cent in the past 12 months and robbery is up more than 20 per cent.

“Enough is a enough. That’s why an LNP Government would invest $300,000 in a police beat for Labrador,” Mr O’Connor said.

The State election campaign on the Gold Coast today turns to policing. Picture Glenn Hampson

Meanwhile, Police Minister Mark Ryan late this morning will hold a press conference near a hinterland neighbourhood police beat.

Mr Ryan is expected to discuss the Government’s plans to provide an extra 44 police to the Coast region.

Police have been eyeing off land at Gaven, across the Pacific Motorway, for a multipurpose facility to house staff and machinery in a bid to stop the crime wave in the city’s north.