Tasmania’s worst crime-ridden districts revealed in police report

From stolen cars, burglaries, random shootings and street drug deals being made in broad daylight, we uncover Tassie’s most crime-riddled areas. IS YOUR SUBURB ON THE LIST?

Tasmania’s most crime-ridden regions have been revealed in newly released police data.

Launceston’s crime rate for 2020/21 was by far and away the worst police district for every single type of offence, often doubling or tripling that of its counterparts.

A significant proportion of all Tasmanian vehicle thefts take place in the Launceston police district, with 315 car burglaries per 10,000 population.

Launceston City Councillor Paul Spencer said his son recently had two motorbikes stolen by somebody driving an unregistered ute.

Launceston.

WOMAN LEFT WITH BROKEN EYE SOCKET AFTER CAR PARK FIGHT >>

20 CHARGED AS POLICE SEIZE CASH, WEAPONS, DRUGS IN MAJOR BUST >>

Cr Spencer said such crimes were rife in Launceston, which he believes is due to a lack of opportunities, a lack of affordable housing, and a general lack of discipline.

“Drug use is a big problem in Launceston with all these criminals, especially since when they get caught they get let out in a few weeks,” Cr Spencer said.

“The jails are full, so what hope is there? There’s no disincentives.

“We had a report today [Thursday] that unemployment is at eight per cent. You’ve got all these job opportunities with this big boom we’re supposed to be having — you’d think there would be no unemployment.”

Launceston also tops the state in property offences per person, more than doubling that of the second place district of Hobart.

Glenorchy. Picture: Knight Frank

Glenorchy is the second-worst district in the state when it comes to home burglary offences as well as robbery offences.

It rates just slightly worse than Bridgewater in terms of “serious offences”, having outstripped it in 2021 following a 17.7 per cent increase.

CONCERNS OVER RISING RATE OF HATE CRIMES >>

MEN REFUSED BAIL OVER $4.5 ICE SEIZURE >>

Gagebrook resident Graham Grimsey said the Bridgewater-Gagebrook region had improved significantly during the 30 years he’d lived in the region.

“There’s drugs still around here, but I wouldn’t touch that stuff. They [drug dealers] are everywhere, people going to the houses,” Mr Grimsey said.

“It’s an alright place. I like it here. Only problem are some of the buggers around here with their cars and utes going stupid.”

Several other Gagebrook residents refused to comment, citing fear of getting their houses burnt down by roving gangs as a form of retaliation.

Police suspect a Gagebrook fire was an act of arson. Picture: Kenji Sato

Rokeby resident Peter, who asked for his last name not to be published, said gangs of teenagers could be seen hooning up Tollard Drive nearly every afternoon.

He said they’ve also been hooning up and down the trail bike tracks on motorbikes, usually without helmets.

“The hooning is a daily occurrence, especially after 4pm in the afternoon when they can go home and get their V8 utes out and thrash around,” Peter said.

“Police do a pretty good job given their resources, but they just don’t have enough policemen. The problem is the mentality of some of the parents.”

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said drug dealers could be seen openly plying their wares on Tollard Drive, even in broad daylight.

St Helens had a relatively low crime rate in most categories, however it also has by far the slowest police response times.

Its median high-priority response times were 56 minutes, almost ten times longer than Hobart’s high-priority response times which is 6 minutes.

A Tasmania Police spokesperson said crime rates were relatively low compared to the mainland, and that those rates had dropped in the past year.

“Tasmania Police is committed to ensuring appropriate resources are allocated across the state to provide for the effective and efficient delivery of policing services,” the spokesperson said.

“Tasmania is a safe place to live, and has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

“Last financial year Tasmania Police recorded the lowest number of total offences for an eight-year period. This was 13 per cent lower than the previous year.”