Queensland government report on 2024-25 crime data shows slight drop in offences per capita

Queensland recorded a slight increase in overall crime during the 2024-25 financial year, though the rate of offenses per capita decreased, according to a new government report. The findings have prompted differing responses from the state’s Premier and Opposition Leader regarding the effectiveness of current crime prevention strategies.

Crime Statistics for 2024-25

The Queensland government statistician’s office reported 620,898 offenses in the 2024-25 financial year, a 1 percent rise from the previous year. However, when adjusted for population growth, the offense rate actually fell by 1.2 percent.

The report also detailed 66,296 unique victims of personal offenses, a 1.9 percent increase. Despite this rise in the number of victims, the victim rate per 100,000 people decreased from 1,180.8 to 1,177, representing a 0.3 percent decrease.

Youth Offender Numbers Decline

There was a 16.7 percent decrease in the number of youth offenders in 2024-25 compared to the prior year. The reporting period encompasses the final three months of the former Labor government and the first nine months of the current LNP administration.

Political Responses

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington stated the report indicated early positive signs that the government was “turning the tide” on what she characterized as “Labor’s youth crime crisis.” She declined to comment on whether a youth crime crisis still existed.

“This crime report that I am releasing here today shows those very early positive signs, but of course there is always more work to be done,” Ms. Frecklington said. “With more police, stronger laws and that early intervention and rehabilitation, what we are seeing are those positive early signs.”

Opposition Leader Steven Miles countered that Queenslanders did not feel safer. “Every single day that David Crisafulli tries to tell Queenslanders that he has fixed crime, it’s jarring for those Queenslanders who are experiencing it,” he said. “Clearly crime continues to increase in Queensland and people don’t feel safe.”

Specific Offense Trends

The report showed a 2.2 percent increase in assault offenses and a 7.2 percent rise in sexual offenses. Weapons Act offenses increased by 9.5 percent, and trespassing and vagrancy offenses rose by 10.5 percent.

Conversely, unlawful entry decreased by 7.9 percent, fraud offenses reduced by 23.6 percent, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle declined by 3.5 percent. Robbery offenses also decreased by 8.6 percent, while murder offenses fell by 26 percent and other homicides declined by 33 percent.