READY TO EXPLODE
Northern GC a ‘powder keg’ in desperate need of police: union
THE Queensland Police Union says the northern Gold Coast is a “powder keg ready to explode”.
President Ian Leavers, on the eve of the state budget, said more officers were vital to match the region’s growing population.
QUEENSLAND Police Union president Ian Leavers says the northern Gold Coast is at a tipping point with violence out of control.
“Police in Coomera, Nerang and the entire northern Gold Coast are at breaking point and the entire policing response is a powder keg that is ready to explode,” Mr Leavers told the Bulletin on a visit to Coomera police station on the eve of the state budget.
“The calls for service on police and demands have increased astronomically yet the police numbers are stagnant.
“We don’t need petitions or lip service from politicians, we need action, actual commitments and assistance and we need it now.”
Mr Leavers’ call for the government to intervene “before the already lawless situation gets worse” was strongly backed by new Queensland Police Union south eastern region representative Andy Williams, who called on backing from management.
Sergeant Williams said police were being shuffled around to “plug holes” with 14 officers moved to Coomera about a year ago and more planned from Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
“We know times are tough in Coomera and we will all do anything we can to help. However, shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic is not the solution,” he said. “I challenge the Chief Superintendent and the police hierarchy to stand united with the police union and call for more police for our area.”
Sgt Williams said the Coomera police division had the highest number of domestic violence, sexual offences and break-ins on the Coast.
“Coomera has the highest rates of assault within the entire South Eastern Police Region. I project assaults to increase 37.5 per cent this year,” he said.
“Nerang police division has a projected increase of 21.7 per cent in assaults. Violence is out of control on the northern Gold Coast and because police are so understaffed we are struggling to keep the public safe.
“The Chief Superintendent, the police hierarchy and the government need to act before it’s too late.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said there were more police on the Gold Coast than ever before.
“The Coomera Police District was abolished by the LNP,” he said.
“The Palaszczuk Government committed to a review of police districts and regions and that work is underway and the Queensland Police Union is a member of the review taskforce.
“The Palaszczuk Government has invested heavily in police on the Gold Coast. A major new police facility is being built at Arundel and it will be complete by the end of the year.”