Community Safety and Crime Prevention

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is the Government’s lead agency for crime prevention in Queensland. 

The QPS recognises that implementing and sustaining effective and efficient crime prevention programs can contribute significantly to the achievement of safe and secure societies by reducing the level of crime.  The most effective approaches to the prevention of crime are outlined in the National Crime Prevention Framework ( 194.33K ) which as been developed by the Australian Institute of Criminology on behalf of the Australia and New Zealand Crime Prevention Senior Officers’ Group.  The Framework provides guidance on best practice to assist with the development of appropriate policies, strategies and programs to address crime problems.

The community safety and crime prevention section of the QPS website provides information about the programs the QPS delivers and advice about how to stay safe and help reduce crime.

Community safety and crime prevention activities and associated responsibilities within the QPS are undertaken by a variety of areas including the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch (CSCPB) at a central level and crime prevention officers across regional, district and local level. 

The Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch (CSCPB) helps to reduce and prevent crime and enhance community safety by forming partnerships with the community, government agencies and the private sector to identify and address the causes of crime and anti-social behaviour.

The key objectives of the Branch are to:

• develop, implement and review QPS community safety and crime prevention policies, programs and service responses
• provide leadership, advocacy and advice on the strategic and operational direction for community safety and crime prevention across the QPS and Queensland Government
• develop and support collaborative and coordinated partnerships and approaches to community safety and crime prevention with key government and non-government stakeholders across Queensland
• manage workforce capability and business processes to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and resource allocations and management.

At a regional, district and divisional level, crime prevention officers (including Regional Crime Prevention Coordinators, District Crime Prevention Coordinators and Senior Community Crime Prevention Officers) coordinate the development, delivery and evaluation of preventative, problem solving programs and strategies for their area. 

They will regularly consult with other police and work closely with their community to provide a wide range of services including:

• Assist in the provision of efficient and effective policing services to the community,
• Ensure sufficient representation at meetings for community bodies and councils,
• Provide input and assist the work of local Building Safer Community Action Teams (BSCATs) where they are operating,
• Implement, manage and participate in community based policing initiatives to enhance service delivery,
• Overview the appointment and performance of Neighbourhood Watch liaison officers within their area,
• Recruit, train, overview, support and supervise the Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) Program, and
• Assist at and coordinate crime prevention events as required.

To contact the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch, please call 07 3234 2111.

For information about local crime prevention initiatives please contact your local police station and ask for the District Crime Prevention Coordinator.