Foreword

The Police Beat Shopfront program was launched on 20 December 1992 and is a Government funded policing initiative aimed at providing the people of Queensland with an effective policing presence in shopping centres and central business districts.

The program was developed as a result of the Government Shopping Centre Security Policy.

It's putting police back on the street where most people are - in the shopping centres.

The number of police on the beat in shopping centres will continue to expand, particularly during peak shopping periods like school holidays.

Police Beat Shopfronts aim to improve community feeling about personal safety and to reduce the fear of crime. They are places where people can talk to police in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Where shopfronts have been set up, offences such as shoplifting, stealing from cars, assaults, vandalism and disorderly behaviour have been greatly reduced.

Of those people surveyed to evaluate community perception:

• 90% believed that police presence in shopping centres is required;

• 86% indicated that police presence alleviated their fear of crime within the shopping centre; and

• 74% would prefer to shop where there is a police presence.

Statistical evidence showed that visual police pressence within the shopping centre area tended to reduce criminal activity.

Last Updated: 09/12/2005