Station Street in Toowoomba has been identified as a drug hot spot by new crime maps. Bev Lacey STATION St is a hive of drug activity, according to new police crime maps.
According to the maps compiled by Queensland Police, a staggering 535 drug offences have been detected in 13 years, branding the small street a hot spot.
Statistics for the past six months paint a similar picture, with 621 drug-related offences investigated by police in the Toowoomba region.
More than 220 remain unsolved.
The Toowoomba City suburb holds the unflattering title of the worst in the region, with 109 drug-related offences detected.
Rounding out the top five suburban drug hot spots are Newtown, Harristown, North Toowoomba and Wilsonton.
Business workers in and around Station St admit to witnessing drug activity in the area, including drug deals and use.
Some, they said, were young teenagers.
The 619 offences paled in comparison to the north Queensland city of Townsville, which the crime maps show 1440 drug offences in the same time frame.
The Townsville City suburb ranked the highest, with 92 drug offences investigated by police, which was fewer than Toowoomba City.
More than 670 drug offences in Townsville remain unsolved.
The crime maps contain data from the past 13 years and is updated nightly and presents figures dating to the week prior.
Toowoomba Police Detective Acting Inspector Paul McCusker said drug statistics were difficult to determine and compare, as one investigation could result in a large number of charges.
"In terms of drug-related activity, police act on information received from the public," he said.
"If people want to report drug activity, ring Crime Stoppers or PoliceLink."
The crime maps do not specify what drug offence, nor the type of drug involved.
Commissioner Ian Stewart said one of the aims of the data was to encourage users to familiarise themselves with their area and engage in appropriate crime prevention strategies.
"The portal will go a long way to assist the prevention of crime."
The Online Crime Statistics Portal can be visited at http://www.police.qld.gov.au.
Top five drug hot spots (past six months)
- Twba City - 109
- Newtown - 62
- Harristown - 56
- North Twba - 53
- Wilsonton - 50
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