THEFT and drug offences were the top crimes in the Redlands and surrounds last year, prompting calls to tackle the region's "ice epidemic".
The Brisbane East region - which extends south to Carbrook and north to Wynnum and Manly - had the third lowest crime rates in the state, with about six crimes reported per 100 people.
This is according to state government crime statistics from the last financial year.
Crime rates - which are calculated per 100,000 people - were highest for theft excluding unlawful entry, at 1792, and drug offences, at 1256.
More than 3000 drug offences were recorded during the year, up about 40 per cent from 10 years ago.
Traffic and good order offences, unlawful entry and property damage were among the region's top crimes, while murder and homicide, armed robbery and arson made up the bottom of the list.
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said he was concerned drug offences continued to rate highly.
"More needs to be done to address our drug problem, including the ice epidemic, which impacts greatly on young people in our bay island communities in particular," he said.
Mr Robinson was also worried about youth crime after reports teens were involved in armed hold-ups, threats to kill, gang assaults and spitting offences in May.
"We do not want to see repeats of what is happening in other areas where young people are being lured into unruly gangs - or groups of two and three - to commit offences."
Hooning was also a common complaint.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said repeat offenders were on the rise, with more crimes committed by fewer criminals.
"It also shows fewer Queenslanders are committing offences in the first place," he said.
"It's the third year in a row we've seen a decline in the number of offenders, and the lowest number of offenders in 10 years.
"Queensland's world-class police officers are charging and arresting offenders and this data will allow them to respond where they are needed, when they are needed."
Mr Robinson said escalating crime rates were a concern across the state.
"Our local police do an extraordinary job, often under difficult and dangerous circumstances. It is up to the government to support them and to stop going soft on crime.
"Police need tough new laws to be able to send a strong message to criminals. They need the resources to be able to get on with their job of maintaining community safety."
But Mr Ryan said police were better resourced than ever before and were fully equipped to target offenders.
He said the overall 10-year trend showed the number of many offences were on the decline.
"It shows despite Queensland's increasing population, this remains a great place to live."
