Toowoomba's crime concerns on political radar

THE State Opposition has promised to reintroduce penalties for bail breachers and boost police numbers and budgets to combat rising crime.

CRIME WATCH: Discussing crime in Toowoomba is (from left) Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki, State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington, crime solutions advocate Corby Orford, and Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts. Picture: Contributed

THE State Opposition has promised to reintroduce penalties for bail breachers and boost police numbers and budgets to combat rising crime across the Darling Downs.

In a wide-ranging press conference outside the Hume St police station, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington blamed budget cuts for the current rise in the region's crime rates.

Toowoomba North MP and Opposition spokesman for Corrective Services Trevor Watts said the Darling Downs was experiencing "rising crime numbers” which was stretching front-line policing numbers.

He said motor vehicle thefts had increased 56 per cent, shop stealing offences were up 42%, and unlawful entry offences were up 22% across the Darling Downs district.

"There are more cases, more calls for service, more families having their cars stolen, more shops having things stolen from them, and more people entering houses under the cover of darkness here on the Darling Downs,” Mr Watts said.

Opposition Attorney-General spokesman and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki explained the LNP's approach to being "tough on crime” would involve reinstating breach of bail as an offence under the Criminal Code.

"It is just too easy for people to be a revolving door right through the justice system,” he said.

"We can bolster police resources.”

Founder of the newly created Toowoomba Crime Solutions and Suggestions group Corby Orford welcomed the option to meet with the Opposition government.

Ms Orford said a major concern among the group's more than 1800 members was the belief courts were lenient in regards to youth offenders.

"They're feeling like, particularly in relation to young offenders, the court will deal with them but they end up in a revolving door very quickly,” she said.

Originally published as Toowoomba's crime concerns on political radar