The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has revealed that more people are reporting crime online and in doing so saving police and the public valuable policing time.
According to the police, the change means the community is able to provide the information they wish to impart to police immediately, including the ability to upload video footage for example, in the case of a hooning-related report to police.
And for police it means they get precisely the information they require to provide members of the public with a series of prompts for their appropriate information.
Minister for Police, Mark Ryan said there was nothing surprising about the modern-day trend.
“This is the way of the world” Mr Ryan said.
“People bank online, learn online and perform many other tasks online like grocery shopping,” he said.
“Interactions with the Queensland Police Service are no different.”
Mr Ryan said people could still use a phone to call in with but the trend towards online is quite pronounced and is accelerating.
“In Brisbane in 2019 for example, there were 50,479 reports to police by phone and 25,791 reports to police on-line,” the Minister said.
“In 2021 there were 16,754 reports to police by phone and 56,143 reports to police on-line.
“So, there’s been a complete switch with most reports to police now occurring on-line (with) the same trend apparent right across the State.”
Mr Ryan said the Queensland Police Service was world class and one of the distinguishing characteristics of the QPS is its early and effective adoption of technology.
“It’s all about supporting community safety and providing the community with a range of options to conduct their interactions with police,” he said.
“The Queensland Police Service is deeply embedded in our communities right across the state, and the interaction and cooperation of the public is a vital tool for police in their commitment to keeping the community safe,” Mr Ryan said.
