Cairns crime: Call for more police ‘on the beat’

A prominent police presence, legislative change to keep offenders locked up and better security measures are needed to combat the mean streets of the Cairns CBD.

BUSINESS owners in the city centre are at an impasse as they plead for a greater police presence to combat spiralling crime.

Business people say crime and anti-social behaviour is rife, it is adversely impacting their businesses with customers often hassled, and there aren’t enough police walking the beat.

They say when police are called, response times are often lengthy because police are out on jobs in the wider region.

But a Queensland Police spokesman says numbers in Cairns are “sufficient”.

Cairns Police launched a mobile initiative earlier this year with vans in suburbs including the northern beaches, where police Liaison Officer Lloyd Bickler and Constable Clay Cox are pictured – but business owners in the CBD say they need police on the beat in the city streets Picture: Brendan Radke

He said a borderless policing model was used to provide more agility and service across the district, including the Cairns CBD.

“This means Cairns police are supported by Far North district resources to quickly respond to incidents and in fitting numbers,” the spokesman said.

“There are sufficient general duties police permanently positioned in Cairns and supported by specialist areas such as the Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Far North District Criminal Investigation Branch, Tactical Crime Squad complemented with highway patrol officers, scientific and crime scene officers and Crime and Intelligence Command investigators,” he said.

“An action plan implemented by Cairns City Police Beat and the Cairns Anti-social and Public Space (CAPS) team, is addressing anti-social behaviours regarding itinerant people.”

State MP for Cairns Michael Healy has pledged to push for more police in Cairns in the wake of a violent incidents in the CBD recently.

“I, like everyone in the community am terribly concerned,” Mr Healy said.

“I will continue to advocate for more police and police resources for Cairns.”

Cairns Chamber of Commerce spokesman Danny Betros, who is managing director of CBRE Real Estate, said a strong police presence was key.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce committee member and CBRE managing Director Danny Betros says parts of the CBD feel unsafe at night. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

“At the Esplanade, when the police were on the beat, the crime rate was way down – more police, less crime, safer for everybody,” Mr Betros said.

“There are a lot of undesirable itinerants hanging around the CBD, we need a stronger police presence, and more lighting from council.

“I will happily walk around the CBD at night with any councillor and show them where the trouble spots are, which need improved lighting,” he said.

Cairns business owners in the city centre are at an impasse as they plead for a greater police presence to combat spiralling crime. Picture: iStock

“Police are understaffed and under resourced. We need to get rid of the troublemakers.

“This year Cairns will have the highest number of vehicles stolen ever, but politicians say the statistics are improving – there’s a massive disconnect.

“How can politicians say things are getting better? It is just ridiculous.

“One of these days the courts are going to grow a set and lock away continual, repetitive offenders, it is laughable.

“Everyone is concerned, in certain parts of the CBD you just don’t feel safe at night.

“There’s all sorts of drunks out there just looking for a fight, it can get pretty rough – people are concerned and we are entitled to be concerned,” Mr Betros said.

Police Minister Mark Ryan has been asked for comment and to clarify actual numbers of police in Cairns.

A Cairns Regional Council spokesman said council supported police with 487 CCTV cameras, with $500,000 set aside to renew and expand the network this financial year.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Call for more police ‘on the beat’