Before his election, Premier David Crisafulli promised to resign if crime victim numbers did not decrease by the end of his term. According to Queensland Police statistics, victims of crime have decreased by nearly six per cent in the first half of this year compared to the same time last year. Notably, statistics indicated a 6.4 per cent reduction in unlawful use of motor vehicles, a 12 per cent drop in unlawful entries, and a significant 13.2 per cent decrease in robbery.
However, it is worth mentioning that a category labelled “other thefts” — which includes theft from homes, shoplifting, and vehicle break-ins — is not factored into the Premier’s overall calculations. Crisafulli asserts that the inclusion of these figures would reveal an even greater drop in crime rates. Despite this, he has expressed caution regarding celebrations, stating, “We’re a long way off that, we haven’t even put it on ice,” emphasising the need for continued progress in reducing both the severity of crimes and their impact on the Queensland community.
Crisafulli acknowledges the necessity of ongoing efforts to minimise victimisation, despite the reality that crime will persist to some extent. He stressed that the ultimate goal is to create fewer victims and enhance public safety for Queenslanders. While Queensland Police Service (QPS) data is not as independent as that from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Crisafulli pointed out that QPS figures are available in real-time, allowing for immediate accountability and performance monitoring, which the ABS data, released several months later, cannot provide.
In summary, while there have been favourable trends in crime statistics during Crisafulli’s administration, he remains focused on the larger picture of reducing crime and protecting citizens, indicating that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done.