REVEALED: The crimes that have nosedived during coronavirus lockdown
- Overall crime dropped in Queensland by 20 per cent from March to April
- Robbery was down by 40 per cent along with a 25 per cent decrease in assaults
- Drug offences rose by 135 per cent while computer fraud grew by 51 per cent
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Crime rates have nosedived by 20 per cent as Australians are forced to confine themselves indoors during the on-going coronavirus lockdown.
The data from Queensland Police saw armed and unarmed robbery decline by over 40 per cent in April compared to March while car theft and home burglary also dropped.
In the same period, drug offences skyrocketed by 135 per cent while computer fraud increased by 51 per cent.
Queensland crime rates in April showed offences had decreased by 20 per cent compared to March
Assault and sexual assault saw a decline of 25 and 11 per cent respectively but the situation was different inside the family home.
Domestic violence offences skyrocketed with April recording 2918 Domestic violence order breaches after 2916 in March.
Although 3133 breaches were recorded at in December 2019 before Australia went into lockdown, the April figures were still significantly higher than the 2221 breaches during the same time last year.
Drug offences skyrocketed by 135 per cent while computer fraud increased by 51 per cent (stock image)
With car trips only allowed for essential travel, traffic offences also dived by 20 per cent from the previous month.
The recorded offences are the lowest seen since 2001 and were down over 1000 offences from the 3455 reported at the same time last year.
But last month Queensland Police said speed cameras had detected an increase of 26 per cent in speeding offences despite 30 per cent less cars on the road.
Domestic violence offences skyrocketed with April recording 2918 Domestic violence order breaches after 2916 in March. Pictured is an ambulance in Sydney
Good order offences, which largely includes public nuisance offences, saw a drop of 27 per cent after only decreasing slightly in March.
Criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy from Bond University told the Courier Mail the lockdown was making it hard for criminals to go unnoticed.
‘It’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, if you lock everyone down it makes it very difficult for crooks to get around because there’s simply no else around,’ he said.
‘There also less targets of opportunity you haven’t got people going out getting drunk and getting rolled on their way home.
‘You’ve got people at home so there’s less chance of a break-in.’
Good order offences, which largely includes public nuisance offences, saw a drop of 27 per cent after only decreasing slightly in March. Pictured are police officers in Perth