New data for 2020-21 released by the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) reveals a drop in the crime rate and the number of unique offenders, for which the police commissioner has credited the efforts of the state police force.
The annual statistical report was published on Friday, showing the lowest number of unique youth offenders in a decade (a 5.8% decrease from 2019-20). In the case of unique child offenders, there was a marked decrease of 26.8%.
Police minister Mark Ryan said the Queensland Police were dedicated to apprehending offenders as well as supporting strategies and initiatives that prevented crime. He also said several government agencies were focused on diverting young offenders away from crime.
“For every crime, there is a victim, and even one instance of crime is one too many,” the minister said.
“That’s why we never rest when it comes to addressing crime and youth crime.”
The latest data recorded a 3.3% drop in the overall number of unique offenders in Queensland compared to the year before, and also a new decade-low. The total number of criminal offences decreased to 482,695 in 2020-2021, a 10.8% drop on the previous year.
An analysis of the categories of crime showed that while property offences (18.1%) and other offences (7.5%) – including drugs, weapons and trespass crimes – dropped, the number of ‘offences against the person’ – such as assault, sexual offences and homicide – jumped by 20.4% since 2019-20.
A total of 13 murders were recorded in Queensland during the period, representing a 24.1% decrease on the previous year; robberies declined by 11.6%.
Increases were also recorded in the state for crimes relating to liquor (drunkenness), with an 18.4% growth, and breach of domestic violence (DV) protection order (17.1% increase, or 5,836 offences).
“The government support the efforts of the QPS and will do everything it can to further support community safety outcomes,” Ryan said.
“That’s why the government is making the biggest investment in policing in more than three decades to deliver more than 2,000 extra police personnel. It’s all about supporting community safety.”
Police commissioner Kate Carroll commended the work of the QPS, and said the crime statistics showed ‘the incredible amount of work’ performed across the state.
“The data from the latest crime report supports what we have been striving to achieve as an organisation,” Carroll said.
“However, we know there is more work to be done, and the QPS remains committed to keeping communities safe. We will continue to focus on policing strategies to reduce crime.”
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