A jump in murders and domestic violence protection order breaches are behind a surge in Queensland crime.
The state logged a 3.7 per cent increase in criminal activity, with more than half a million offences being committed, according to the 2018-2019 Crime Report, which was released on Tuesday.
However, the number of offenders has fallen to a 10-year low, with a small group of repeat offenders committing more offences.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says the rise is concerning because it means there are more victims of crime.
"That small cohort has radically increased and that's where we need to concentrate our efforts," she said on Tuesday.
Crimes against people, such as assault, sexual offences and robbery, climbed by 1.2 per cent, with 37,148 offences being committed.
This was partly due to a surge in murders and manslaughter, which rose by 20.3 per cent to 118 unlawful killings.
Domestic violence and drug offences also increased by 2.3 per cent.
A significant increase in domestic violence protection order breaches contributed to the rise, with an 8.3 per cent jump to 28,396 offences.
The biggest increase was in property offences, such as unlawful entry, theft and fraud.
These jumped 5.3 per cent with 258,226 offences recorded, accounting for 49 per cent of all crimes committed.
Ms Carroll said new laws, such as the strangulation offence, may have contributed to the overall jump.
"Some 800 people have been convicted of that offence in recent years."
The greatest number of crimes per capita were committed in inner-city Brisbane, with Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba and Logan close behind.
Most crimes happened in homes, on the street, or at shops.
Public transport was relatively safe with just four per cent of crimes occurring in cars, buses and trains.
Police solved more than 90 per cent of homicides and drug offences but just 25 per cent of break-ins.
Ms Carroll said police would continue to prevent and disrupt repeat offenders to help reduce offending, but prevention remained the best strategy.
Overall, 314, 960 people committed crimes but only 112, 827 were new offenders.
"If we can reduce the offending in the small cohorts, we would have a dramatic overall decrease," she said.
"(However) the evidence clearly shows if you can ... divert and get people into better education and schools and programs that actually helps decrease the offending."
Opposition police spokesman Trevor Watts said the report showed Queensland had become less safe as more people became victims of robbery, assault and sexual violence.
"Labor have watered down laws and stretched Queensland's thin blue line to breaking point," he said.
* Statistics based on comparison to 2017-2018 Crime Report.
Australian Associated Press
