Premier Steven Miles has released the Community Safety Plan for Queensland, backed by $1.28 billion in additional investment from the government.
It builds on the successful measures that saw a reduction in offending in the first quarter of this year, with new investments and expanded initiatives.
The plan is focused on five key pillars, backed by evidence:
Supporting victims.
Delivering for our frontline.
Detaining offenders to protect the community.
Intervening when people offend.
Preventing crime before it occurs.
The plan is a product of the Premier, Ministers’ and Police Commissioners meeting with frontline police, DFSV frontline workers, victims of crime and experts.
It charts the path for a safer, more vibrant Queensland that provides opportunity for all – grounded in decisive action.
Premier Steven Miles said crime and its causes are complex, often stemming from experiences of domestic violence, homelessness, disengagement from education, poor mental health and lack of family support.
“My government’s Community Safety Plan for Queensland is about delivering the evidence-based prevention and intervention services to prevent crime from occurring while giving police the tools and laws they need to track and detain offenders,” Mr Miles said.
“While we know there will always be some level of crime, it’s our jobs as a government to put the plans in place to respond quickly and support those victims.”
The plan delivers more police and more police resources, more funding for the DFSV sector, action to address exposure to family violence and drug and alcohol abuse, and more programs to prevent crime and intervene early.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said this is a comprehensive plan to further enhance community safety.
“It’s a multi-pronged approach that reflects the government’s commitment to detain those who need to be detained, but also intervene with the programs and supports that work to break the cycle of offending,” Mr Ryan said.
It’s highlighted that of young people involved in the youth justice system, 53 per cent are impacted by domestic and family violence and 48 per cent are not enrolled in education or training or in employment.
Concerningly, 38 per cent of youth in custody have used ice or methamphetamine in the past.
Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said they are investing in more programs to tackle the root causes of crime.
“We will continue working with parents to get kids on the right path and ensure we always support victims,” Ms Farmer said.
It’s these underlying factors that the government’s comprehensive community safety plan targets, building on the $1.65 billion Better Care Together mental health support plan, $3.1 billion Homes for Queenslanders plan and $288 million package to keep kids engaged in education.
The Community Safety Plan for Queensland can be found online at: qld.gov.au/about/community-safety
