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Queensland's top cop blames ice epidemic for increase in crime

Queensland’s top cop has blamed the drug 'ice' for the jump in crime including domestic violence across the state.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart says drug use and the economic downturn has contributed to new figures showing sexual offences, robbery and assault are up 11 per cent.

Alarmingly, protection applications have risen 28 per cent, but Mr Stewart says there are positives in that statistic.

“It is hard to try to convince the public that the massive increase is good news, I think it is,” he said.

Mr Stewart argued people were now aware they could get help, instead of leaving crime behind closed doors.

Police Minister Bill Byrne and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart. Source: 7News
Police Minister Bill Byrne and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart. Source: 7News

“Once upon a time, people would close the windows rather than listen to the incident. Now these people report it,” Minister Bill Byrne said.

New figures show murder has risen 20 per cent and credit card fraud is up 15 per cent.