OUR STATS OF SHAME

Bashings hit alarming five-year high in Far North

A FIVE-YEAR spike in bashings across the Far North has police warning would-be violent offenders to think twice or face jail.

Officers were called to 278 separate assault cases across the police district last month – the highest monthly figure since November 2011.

Acting Chief Superintendent Brett Schafferius said while officers were out in force across the Cairns CBD, upsurges in bashing rates were rarely contained to one area.

“Assaults occur all over the community, from private homes to public places,” he said. “They happen virtually anywhere. “But we don’t generally see a significant increase in the number of assaults in the CBD or public places at all.”

Heat, hard liquor and the holidays have been blamed for the upswing.

Acting Chief Supt Schafferius said police patrols would be highly visible on New Year’s Eve tonight.

“Sadly, we generally see a spike in assaults this time of year, which is extremely disappointing and a problem for the community,” he said.

“One thing we don’t tolerate whatsoever is public violence or fighting in the street.

“Not only for the people who live in this beautiful city, but for all those visitors who want to come and experience the Far North.”

Latest crime statistics reveal assaults across the Cairns local government region rose by more than 8 per cent over the year to November.

Robberies increased by 26 per cent over the same period, along with a 7 per cent rise in unlawful entry cases and an 18 per cent surge in car theft.

The mounting crime rate did not surprise Cairns Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Fran Lindsay, who said it correlated with an upswing in attendance at the group’s meetings.

“That’s usually an indication there are problems and people want to know what’s going on,” she said.

“When everything is quiet and nothing is happening, the numbers drop off.

“But it has been very well attended, particularly over the last four months.”

Ms Lindsay applauded police for “staying on the ball” but said groups of underage drinkers lurking in the streets at night were causing concerns in the community.

“They start drinking and then they get up to trouble,” she said.

“But police are well aware and do keep a close watch on them.”

Drunken youngsters were by no means the only concern.

Only 38 of the 194 people charged with assault last month were juveniles. See the graph of assault figures at cairnspost.com.au