Community & Business
10 December, 2024
Crime once again on the rise
CRIME in Mareeba has risen by 15% in the past year compared to the previous 12 months, with vehicle theft and house break-ins contributing to the increase.
In Atherton, it’s a different story, with crime decreasing slightly over the year, with drops in almost every offence category. In total, the 4883 postcode recorded 957 offences compared to 1015 last year.
In the same period in 2023, Mareeba notched up 1783 offences including assault, break-ins, vehicle theft, damage and good order but 12 months later, the figures have jumped to 2051, representing a 15% rise.
Statistics from the Queensland Police online crime map show that Mareeba vehicles were again a popular target for thieves, with nearly double the number stolen this year than last.
In total, 87 vehicles were stolen in the 4880 postcode area, compared to 45 in 2023. In Atherton, 32 vehicles were taken, compared to 21 last year, and 54 in 2022.
Also on the rise in Mareeba were unlawful entry into homes or businesses, with 311 recorded for the past 12 months – up 31% or 96 offences than in 2023.
Atherton had 56% less break-ins than its neighbouring centre, recording 137 unlawful entries which is just five more than last year.
Assaults in Mareeba were also on the rise, with 344 recorded compared to 301 last year (up 12%), while Atherton had 103 incidences, lower than the 2023 figure of 114.
Damage to property continues to be a problem, with 238 offences in Mareeba over the past 12 months, up 22% on last year, while Atherton had a 34% drop in those offences, recording 96 for the period.
Good order offences, which take in public nuisance offences, public urination, consuming liquor in a public place, and possession of knives in public places, were still high at 319 for Mareeba and 127 for Atherton, although it was a reduction from the previous year.
Drug offences were also higher, with Atherton recording 166 offences for 2024, compared to 124 for the previous 12 months. Mareeba had a similar amount for both years, with 194 for 2023 and 192 for this year.
The data also reveals that Tuesday night seems to be the most “popular” time for offences to be committed in the Atherton area, followed by Thursday and Friday nights. The data shows that around midnight is the most common time for crimes to be carried out.
In Mareeba, the busiest day for crime by far is Saturday nights, followed by Sunday. Wednesday was the quietest day of the week.
The online crime map also shows that January, February and October were the worst months for crime in Mareeba, while February, March, August and November were the worst months for Atherton.
The online map can be viewed by going to www.police.qld.gov.au/maps-and-statistics.
