Queensland crime data released: Numbers down but government accused of cherry picking data

Victims of crime numbers have fallen in data released by a state that launched a controversial youth justice crackdown, with claims of cherry-picking figures.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli revealed police data for the first six months of 2025 showing victim numbers dropping by 5.7 per cent overall compared to 2024, saying the state had begun to “turn things around” under his Liberal National government.

Mr Crisafulli had vowed to resign if victims of crime numbers did not fall by the end of his term during his 2024 election campaign.

Data released on Tuesday revealed victim numbers across 12 offences including murder, assault, robbery, coercive control, break and enter and stealing cars had dropped from 75,084 to 72,588, contributing to the overall 5.7 per cent decrease.

Yet the figures released by the LNP government did not include “other theft”.

“This is a very, very small step ... but it is proof that if you do back the police, if you do put in place those resources, if you do focus on early intervention, you can turn things around,” the Premier said.

Data revealed break-ins were 12 per cent lower in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Overall there were 23,299 victims of break and enters statewide between January and June 2024, dropping to 21,042 this year.

Robbery victims fell to 1077 this year compared to 1211 in the same period of 2024, marking a 13.2 per cent drop.

More than 9500 Queenslanders had cars stolen in the first half of 2024 compared to 9213 in 2025, showing a 6.4 per cent decrease.

The Labor opposition slammed the lack of data on “other theft”, saying it meant thousands of Queenslanders were no longer considered victims under the LNP government.

“His victim data isn’t worth the paper that it’s printed on because he’s cut corners, cherry-picked, and removed offences that should matter,” Opposition Leader Steven Miles said.

“Victims of other theft could be the local independent grocer who has had stock swiped from their shelves, or someone who’s had items stolen from their car.”

Mr Crisafulli defended not including “other theft”, saying the offence may not relate to a person.

“I wouldn’t be standing here saying to you that someone who’s pinched a marker from the side of the road, that’s not a victim ... it’s a crime,” he said.

The LNP government won the election on a tough-on-crime approach, introducing its controversial “adult crime, adult time” legislation that ensures youth offenders face mandatory life sentences for murder and manslaughter.

It also doubled the maximum sentences for other offences, increasing jail terms for break and enter, car thefts, sexual assault, attempted murder and rape.

However, the state government is yet to release its expert advice on the laws that have drawn criticism from youth advocates who claim it breaches human rights.

The state budget revealed the government was spending $5.2 billion over the next four years on its crime crackdown.