HomeNewsIncreased police presence to support safer CBD

Increased police presence to support safer CBD

The Safe Spaces project was recently launched by Bundaberg Regional Council with support from organisations including the Queensland Police Service with an aim to improve safety, encourage positive behaviours and create a more welcoming and vibrant city centre for all.

A stronger policing presence in the Bundaberg CBD, including a manned Police Beat, is part of a new rolling action plan which will contribute to the outcomes of the Safe Spaces, Thriving Places initiative.

The Safe Spaces project was recently launched by Bundaberg Regional Council with support from organisations including the Queensland Police Service with an aim to improve safety, encourage positive behaviours and create a more welcoming and vibrant city centre for all.

Queensland Police Service Bundaberg Patrol Group Chief Inspector Grant Marcus said the rolling action plan was being implemented in response to an increase in calls for service and community feedback.

“We’re going through one of those phases where we’re seeing an increase in the calls for service,” Chief Inspector Marcus said.

“In response to that, we are actually increasing the level of policing in the [Bundaberg CBD] area to try and address those increasing calls.”

The initiative will see police officers more visible in the CBD, engaging directly with the public and local businesses.

“Members of the community should expect to see more police out and about… police officers walking the beat, police officers pulling over cars and doing RBTs, things like that,” Chief Inspector Marcus said.

The increased presence is also aimed at addressing antisocial and criminal behaviour, according to Chief Inspector Marcus, but he emphasised the importance of supporting vulnerable members of the community while balancing the need for safety and order.

“It’s not a criminal offence to be homeless,” he said.

“We want to make sure that [those struggling] are getting the services and that there are opportunities for them to have a roof over their head.”

The overarching goal of the Safe Spaces Thriving Places project is to restore community confidence in the CBD and encourage more people to visit, shop in and enjoy the space.

“It would be good to see more people come into the CBD and enjoy themselves, so our aim is to make sure that it’s a safe place,” Chief Inspector Marcus said.

Find out more about the Safe Spaces, Thriving Places initiative here.

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