Toowoomba crime rates under the spotlight

THE additional policing presence in Toowoomba's CBD has led to a dramatic increase in catching people committing public nuisance offences.

THE additional policing presence in Toowoomba's CBD has led to a dramatic increase in catching people committing public nuisance offences.

Toowoomba District Police Superintendent Matthew Vanderbyl noted public nuisance offending had increased by 42% in a year.

The Queensland Police Service released its 2011/2012 annual statistical review today.

A total of 1507 public nuisance offences were committed in Toowoomba in one year.

"It shows we've taken a very deliberate tactic in terms of policing public spaces and unruly drunken behaviour," Supt Vanderbyl said.

"(The 42% increase) represents a change of police strategy rather than being indicative of more people offending."

Supt Vanderbyl said the biggest highlight was a 4% decrease in overall crime in the Toowoomba district from 2002 to 2012.

However, there has been an 11% increase in assaults and a 35% increase in robberies in the past year.

"The number of robbery offences increased from 39 to 53 but the rate of armed robbery (reported per 100,000 persons) has decreased by 6% when adjusted by population growth," Supt Vanderbyl said.

"We do have a number of unsolved armed robbery offences we are working actively on at the moment.

"It remains one of our highest priorities."

Crime Stats 2011/12

 Assault numbers up 11%

 Rate of rape and attempted rape down 18%

 Rate of break-ins down 13%

 Public nuisance numbers up 42%

Originally published as Toowoomba crime rates under the spotlight