Cape violence concern

VIOLENT incidents are on the increase in some remote indigenous communities as sly grogging creeps its way back into alcohol-restricted areas, an expert has warned.

It has led to police to call for “greater deterrents” for offenders caught with banned booze.

But Associate Professor Alan Clough fears that has already led to the unnecessary criminalisation of locals.

Prof Clough, an epidemiologist with James Cook University in Cairns, said violence was returning to a level “sufficient to concern key service providers and community members.”

Aeromedical retrievals for serious injury reached historically-low levels at an average of 14 per 1000 people in 2010 in four Cape York indigenous communities, down from a high of 41 per 1000 in 2002.

Prof Clough is analysing police statistics which mirror this downward trend to 2010.

But police data shows there was a spike to 141 violent incidents per 1000 people in the same communities last year. It had risen from a low point of 79 incidents of interpersonal violence per 1000 people in 2010, half the 161 figure recorded in 2002, which was the same year the State Government introduced restricted booze through Alcohol Management Plans in 19 communities.

Cape York Patrol Inspector Paul James said it was difficult enforcing the restricted alcohol legislation as access to communities became easier through improved roads.

Aurukun Mayor Dereck Walpo said an increased police presence had helped reduce anti-social behaviour.