Gold Coast mayor angry at 60 Minutes 'crime capital' claim

A TV report branding the Gold Coast as the crime capital of Australia has been rated minus five by the city's mayor.

A TV report branding the Gold Coast as the crime capital of Australia has been rated minus five by the city's mayor.

60 Minutes tonight painted a grim picture of life on the tourist strip, claiming the crime rate was spiralling out of control with an armed hold-up every two days.

"I'd give it a minus five out of 10," Mayor Ron Clarke said.

"The story was mainly based around a random shooting - the only one that's occurred, I think, on the Gold Coast."

Mr Clarke said the report ignored the facts.

"The crime rate now is about half what it was 10 years ago per 100,000 people," he said.

The Gold Coast's foremost criminal lawyer, Bill Potts, said Australia's sixth largest city has experienced growing pains.

"As someone once said, it's a sunny place for shady people."

Mr Potts said a depressed economy and high unemployment have added to the Gold Coast's challenges.

"There is clearly a significant drug problem on the Gold Coast and while more feet on the beat are needed, the (Queensland) government needs to make some harder decisions and deal with some of the greater social issues that we're facing here."

He said while the crime rate spiked in 2011, it was certainly not out of control with no increase in violent crime, property crime remaining static and murder rates dropping slightly.

"But what we have is a very serious public perception, which has been made worse by such awful things as the murder of detective Damian Leeding," he said.

Gold Coast Tourism boss Martin Winter said the city's image can be damaged by such sensational reporting.

"Most of the crime relates to the drug trade and criminal activity, and we believe the Gold Coast is as safe as any place anywhere in Australia.

"The Gold Coast is, and always has been, a safe family destination but it isn't a safe place if you're a drug dealer or a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang."