Gold Coast MPs welcome new Police Crime Squad

Gold Coast-based MPs Margaret Keech, Peter Lawlor, Peta-Kaye Croft and Christine Smith have welcomed Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson’s decision to create a specialised squad of detectives within the South East Police region.

“Like our constituents, we have been concerned by the recent spike in armed robberies across the region,” Ms Keech said.

“Tragically, Detective Senior Constable Damien Leeding lost his life responding to an alleged armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern on Sunday night.”

Mr Lawlor said local detectives were working hard investigating the recent armed robberies and other crime in the region.

“However, I am confident that the support our local detectives will get from this specialised team will enhance their ability to catch those responsible for these crimes and bring them before the courts,” Mr Lawlor said.

Ms Croft said the 18-strong squad was on top of other additional officers allocated to the South East region by the Police Service.

“Of the 203 additional positions funded by the Bligh Government in 2010-11, 45 were allocated to the South East region, including 22 to the Gold Coast district,” she said.

“The 18 officer squad announced by the Commissioner today will be on top of that allocation, which is good news for the community.

“The four Gold Coast based government MPs have consistently lobbied the Police Minister for more resources. We will continue to lobby for more resources into the future.”

Mrs Smith said she hoped the Serious and Violent Crime Squad would assist in maintaining the Gold Coast’s reputation as a safe community.

“The spike in armed robberies and Detective Leeding’s tragic death has led to some uneasiness on the Coast,” Mrs Smith said.

“I am confident the work of this squad of specialised officers will further assist in reducing crime in the area.”

STATISTICS

The Recent spate of armed robberies is certainly of concern. The Gold Coast is a safe community – acknowledge incidents like these have the potential to tarnish that reputation
The rate of armed robbery in the Gold Coast district has decreased 36% in the past ten years.
The Government has a track record is providing increased funding and resources for QPS to help keep community safe.
The number of police in the South East Police Region (Gold Coast, Logan and Coomera districts) has increased by 65% in the past 10 years.
Currently more than 1,400 police in the region, of which around 700 are in the Gold Coast district.
The 2010/11 State Budget included funding for an additional 203 police positions.
The Police Commissioner allocated 45 of the 203 to the South East Region (22 of which are for the Gold Coast district), as well as six officers for the new Burleigh Police Beat.
Of the 45 additional positions in the region, 14 are detective-level positions (10 for Gold Coast and 4 for Coomera). Gives police enhanced investigative abilities.