Townsville crimes hit historic high for third successive year in 2021

Alarming statistics reveal violent and other crimes in North Queensland have hit historical highs over three successive years. See how your suburb fared.

Queensland Police Service statistics show there were 49,758 reported crimes in the Northern Region that includes Townsville and Mt Isa districts in 2021. Also posting a new record in 2021 were weapons offences with 629 cases. Picture: Generic

Shocking statistics reveal violent and other crimes in North Queensland have hit historical highs over three successive years.

Queensland Police Service statistics show there were 49,758 reported crimes in the Northern Region that includes the Townsville and Mount Isa districts in 2021.

The figure breaks the previous record of 44,446 crimes in 2020, and the record before that of 43,842 in 2019.

In 2022, there have been 35,247 crimes with three months remaining in the year.

The number of alleged murders in 2021 of seven was equal highest since 2003, although “other homicides”, also seven, was well down on 18 in 2003 and 17 in 2001.

Assaults in 2021 also set a new record, with 5998 attacks representing a 75 per cent increase on the 3428 assaults in the next highest year in 2020.

Of concern, 5434 assaults have been recorded so far in 2022 with the number of attacks likely to exceed the shocking 2021 tally.

In terms of property crime, criminals had a bumper year in 2021, setting records for arson (137) and, not surprisingly, unlawful use of a motor vehicle (1425), a figure that represents a staggering 13 per cent increase on the 1263 such cases during the next highest year in 2016. Picture: Generic

The number of sexual assaults of 777 in 2021 is the second highest on record, just beating 765 attacks in 2016 and 769 in 2020 but well short of the 881 recorded in 2018.

Total robberies of 150 in 2021 are also second highest, behind 186 in 2019.

With three months left to go in 2022, robberies are already the second highest recorded since 2001, with 147 attacks and climbing.

Other offences against victims also spiked with 659 cases in 2021 although it was lower than 692 cases recorded in 2004.

In terms of property crime, criminals had a bumper year in 2021, setting records for arson (137) and, not surprisingly, unlawful use of a motor vehicle (1425), a figure that represents a staggering 13 per cent increase on the 1263 such cases during the next highest year in 2016.

The figures for unlawful use so far in 2022 (1105) are also on track to surpass the 1231 cases in 2020 and 1156 cases in 2019.

Handling stolen goods (430) cases in 2021 was second highest since 468 cases in 2001.

Unlawful entry (5413) was the third highest since 2001 and 2002 as was other property damage (3711) behind 2002 and 2006.

In 2022, there have been 35,247 crimes with three months remaining in the year. Picture: Generic

Other theft, which excludes unlawful entry, was an outlier with just 6154 cases, well behind the record 8019 cases in 2019, with fraud remaining stable with an unremarkable 1226 cases.

Breaching domestic violence order (DVO) offences spiked in 2021, with 6402 reported cases 27 per cent higher than the 4672 cases in 2020, the second highest year, and a 33 per cent increase on 2019 (4263), the third highest year.

Also posting a new record in 2021 were weapons offences with 629 cases.

Drug offences in 2021 were second highest on record behind the 8654 cases recorded in 2020 but ahead of the 6784 cases in 2019.

Reported traffic offences were in fifth place with 3470 offences.

The statistics reveal a reprieve on some crime fronts, with reported cases of public drunkenness down to just 556 down from a high of 2980 in 2009 and just one stock-related offence in 2021 comparing favourably to the 104 cases in 2008.

Originally published as Townsville crimes hit historic high for third successive year in 2021