FNQ suburb-by-suburb crime map: Far North Queensland’s crime hot spots revealed
With crimes in the Far North skyrocketing, suburbs in Mareeba, Atherton, Aurukun, and Torres Strait LGAs also recorded elevated numbers of offences. SEE THE INTERACTIVE MAP
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FROM people forced out of their homes in fear after repeated break-ins to people living in problem streets plagued by crims, these are some of the faces of Far North Queensland’s victims of crime – and new data paints the full picture.
Using Queensland Police crime statistics for the past 12 months, the Cairns Post can reveal the worst crime hot spots across 425 suburbs from the Cassowary Coast, to the Torres Strait.
It’s a reality that former Mooroobool pensioner Rosemary Iloste knows all too well, having had to move out of her home in Mooroobool into a gated residence after her home was broken into four times over the span of three years.
“It’s a harrowing thing to come home and find your home absolutely ransacked, and to know that somebody has been through everything personal of yours,” she said.
“It’s just a really devastating feeling to know that somebody has been in your safe place.
“From then on I actually had to move because I couldn’t cope anymore cause it was just a harrowing exercise every time I came home from somewhere, I would shake every time when I was opening the door in case something had happened again.”
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SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE SUBURB-BY-SUBURB BREAKDOWN OF CRIMES, THEFTS AND CARJACKINGS
A major issue plaguing the Far North includes the increasing number of thefts, burglaries and carjackings in LGAs including Cairns, Mareeba and Torres Shire.
Queensland Police Service’s Far North District region has recorded 563 vehicles stolen from Gordonvale to Northern Beaches in Cairns in 2022, with 101 stolen in May alone.
Car theft victim Katrina Way believes there’s nothing more police can do, after having both her and her partner’s vehicles stolen from their family home in Gordonvale while they were asleep.
“We were inside asleep and they gained entry by force through our side door,” she said.
Luckily for Ms Way, both vehicles were sighted and retrieved by police.
“Having now experienced this first hand, my heart goes out to every single person that has experienced this and in a lot of cases ending in worse results.
“Hearing so many stories of this continually happening and the police having their hands tied is so frustrating, I’m unsure of who can fix this problem.”
Ms Iloste said she was fed up with the “pathetic” justice system, and despite her ordeal, had been unable to receive any support, financial or otherwise from Victim Assist Queensland.
“The court system is pathetic. We need stronger punishments, the whole legal system needs a shape up,” she said.
“And unless you’re physically hurt, you can’t get any support from Victims of Crime, it doesn’t matter that I’ve been psychologically damaged from four robberies, you don’t get anything from them.
“The perpetrators get support when they go to jail, they get counselling and everything, but the victims get nothing.”
Business owners in Cairns CBD have also been exasperated, as armed robberies, assaults, drunkenness, and vandalism become part of their everyday lives.
Ali Kebabs owner Syed Ali was attacked in his own kebab shop in May, leaving him battered, bruised and struggling to keep his terrified staff at work.
The business owner previously told the Cairns Post: “I take all the punches, I take the bullying, my staff have left the job and my own sons don’t want to work there anymore.”
Lake St nightclub owner Dominic Davies, who had owned the Woolshed since 1994, previously told the Cairns Post the situation was the worst he’s ever seen.
“(Business owners) are at a tipping point,” he said.
“We’ve got our own security and we can afford to do it to ensure our clients are safe. But during the day Cairns is open for business – how would you feel if you walked into this?”
While Cairns City remains at the epicentre of FNQ’s illegal activities, suburbs in Mareeba, Atherton, Aurukun and Torres Strait LGAs also recorded elevated numbers of offences including theft, break-ins and unlawful use of motor vehicles.
Atherton resident Paul Ryan says break-ins and thefts had soared in his area since 2020.
“I have lived in the same house in Atherton for 17 years. In the last 18 months we have had two cars stolen and at least 15 houses broken into in the near vicinity,” he said.
“We feel we can‘t even leave our home unattended, we are living in fear and I have had to install security cameras to try and stop them forcing entry.”
According to Queensland Police Service (QPS) data, total thefts in Atherton increased by over 71 per cent since 2021.
QPS Far North District Officer Chief Superintendent Glenn Morris said one of the key methods of maintaining peace in FNQ was by maintaining ongoing partnerships with community leaders and elders.
“Here in the Far North, our community partnerships form part of our operational planning requirements throughout the district,” he said.
“All our communities experience challenges and from time to time, tensions arise causing unrest, complex social and family relationships exist in many instances.
“As such our local police work closely with our partner agencies to address those community concerns, with the aim of making a difference by delivering positive outcomes.”
TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS SUBURBS (Ranked by number of offences).
1. CAIRNS CITY – 4073 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 3
Assault: 398
Drug Offences: 410
Fraud: 113
Good Order Offences: 1329
Handling Stolen Goods: 54
Homicide (Murder): 1
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 46
Miscellaneous Offences: 86
Other Offences Against the Person: 20
Other Property Damage: 265
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 921
Prostitution Offences: 1
Robbery: 31
Traffic & Related Offences: 129
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 71
Unlawful Entry: 131
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 40
Weapons Act Offences: 62
2. MAREEBA – 2311 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 4
Assault: 357
Drug Offences: 150
Fraud: 43
Good Order Offences: 285
Handling Stolen Goods: 12
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 15
Miscellaneous Offences: 15
Other Homicide: 1
Other Offences Against the Person: 34
Other Property Damage: 314
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 263
Robbery: 2
Traffic & Related Offences: 392
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 33
Unlawful Entry: 293
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 77
Weapons Act Offences: 21
3. CAIRNS NORTH – 1795 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 1
Assault: 222
Drug Offences: 180
Fraud: 45
Good Order Offences: 175
Handling Stolen Goods: 28
Homicide (Murder): 1
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 6
Miscellaneous Offences: 9
Other Offences Against the Person: 17
Other Property Damage: 140
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 498
Prostitution Offences: 6
Robbery: 11
Traffic & Related Offences: 392
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 41
Unlawful Entry: 225
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 69
Weapons Act Offences: 31
4. MANUNDA – 1415 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 2
Assault: 208
Drug Offences: 133
Fraud: 31
Good Order Offences: 76
Handling Stolen Goods: 15
Homicide (Murder): 1
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 6
Miscellaneous Offences: 15
Other Offences Against the Person: 23
Other Property Damage: 153
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 321
Robbery: 12
Traffic & Related Offences: 90
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 20
Unlawful Entry: 216
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 65
Weapons Act Offences: 28
5. MANOORA – 1412 offences
Offences breakdown
Assault: 232
Drug Offences: 100
Fraud: 24
Good Order Offences: 59
Handling Stolen Goods: 16
Miscellaneous Offences: 9
Other Homicide: 2
Other Offences Against the Person: 21
Other Property Damage: 158
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 328
Robbery: 2
Traffic & Related Offences: 98
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 8
Unlawful Entry: 248
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 96
Weapons Act Offences: 11
6. AURUKUN – 1404 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 14
Assault: 386
Drug Offences: 71
Fraud: 1
Good Order Offences: 281
Handling Stolen Goods: 3
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 84
Miscellaneous Offences: 12
Other Offences Against the Person: 82
Other Property Damage: 225
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 37
Robbery: 10
Traffic & Related Offences: 60
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 14
Unlawful Entry: 66
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 21
Weapons Act Offences: 37
7. TORRES STRAIT – 1321 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 3
Assault: 316
Drug Offences: 53
Fraud: 17
Good Order Offences: 83
Handling Stolen Goods: 4
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 8
Miscellaneous Offences: 15
Other Offences Against the Person: 33
Other Property Damage: 193
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 152
Robbery: 3
Traffic & Related Offences: 140
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 31
Unlawful Entry: 210
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 51
Weapons Act Offences: 9
8. EDMONTON – 1212 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 1
Assault: 172
Drug Offences: 110
Fraud: 24
Good Order Offences: 79
Handling Stolen Goods: 4
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 3
Miscellaneous Offences: 6
Other Offences Against the Person: 19
Other Property Damage: 141
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 268
Robbery: 6
Traffic & Related Offences: 105
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 11
Unlawful Entry: 194
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 53
Weapons Act Offences: 16
9. EARLVILLE – 1113 offences
Offences breakdown
Assault: 101
Drug Offences: 59
Fraud: 25
Good Order Offences: 70
Handling Stolen Goods: 9
Miscellaneous Offences: 9
Other Offences Against the Person: 5
Other Property Damage: 129
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 373
Robbery: 8
Traffic & Related Offences: 71
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 81
Unlawful Entry: 130
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 30
Weapons Act Offences: 13
10. ATHERTON – 1082 offences
Offences breakdown
Arson: 3
Assault: 107
Drug Offences: 101
Fraud: 40
Good Order Offences: 130
Handling Stolen Goods: 14
Liquor (excl. Drunkenness): 3
Miscellaneous Offences: 4
Other Offences Against the Person: 6
Other Property Damage: 112
Other Theft (excl: Unlawful Entry): 199
Robbery: 2
Traffic & Related Offences: 146
Trespassing & Vagrancy: 26
Unlawful Entry: 145
Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle: 36
Weapons Act Offences: 8
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Originally published as FNQ suburb-by-suburb crime map: Far North Queensland’s crime hot spots revealed
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