AN increase in crime and a lack of police resources are at the top of community concerns in the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, says Opposition police spokesman Trevor Watts.
Mr Watts, Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson and SMBI Chamber of Commerce president Matt McEachan were on the islands last week looking at whether more police were needed on Russell and Macleay islands.
Mr Watts said extra officers were needed across the South Brisbane policing district, including the bay islands, to deal with rising rates of crime.
“Since 2014, there has been a huge spike in crime rates across the South Brisbane (district),” Mr Watts said.
“Robberies are up 79 per cent, serious assaults are up 49 per cent and unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences are up by 47 per cent. We’ve also seen a 50 per cent increase in the number of breaches of domestic violence orders.
“I commend the work of our dedicated QPS officers. However, they can only do so much if they don’t have the funding and resources they need.”
Mr Watts said the government had neglected the findings of a 2017 coroner’s report into the death of a Russell Island teenager which recommended at least two additional officers.
“Russell and Macleay islands are currently two-person stations. According to the report, this allocation is inadequate,” Mr Watts said.
Mr Robinson said the government’s failure to provide adequate police funding was putting undue stress on officers on the islands.
“It beggars belief how the Palaszczuk Labor government can carelessly slash $44 million out of the Queensland Police Service budget, when crime rates are increasing across the state,” he said.
“This week, there was an incident at Amity Point, which reinforces the need for more police resources in the region.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan has been asked by Redland City Bulletin to respond.
Mr Robinson also met with Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates at Redland Hospital last week, as part of her tour of Queensland health facilities.
Ms Bates said she wanted more help for sexual violence victims and for abused seniors.
She also called for one-stop domestic violence support centres, offering help to victims.
