CRIME RATES HIT LOWER VALUE BRISBANE PRICES

THE connection between crime rates in a suburb and house prices has a greater impact in lower value areas, according to QUT.

A study conducted by the university found personal crimes including assault and robbery have affected property values in Ascot and Chelmer, to the same extent as Inala and Cleveland.

However middle value suburbs like Grange and Greenslopes, property crime such as theft and unlawful entry have a greater impact on property prices.

QUT property economist Professor Chris Eves (pictured) analysed the crime rates and housing prices of 30 suburbs in Brisbane, over 10 years to 2013.

He says the results show a stronger connection between the two in low and higher end residential property markets, with the greatest impact in lower value areas.

"Crime rates and the types of crime vary according to the location of the suburb," Eves says.

"Crime is higher in the outer low value suburbs and the CBD fringe suburbs where personal crimes such as assault, robbery and drug offences are higher.

"Personal crime does not have the same impact in the middle value suburbs of Brisbane, where property crimes appear to have a greater effect on prices.

"In the inner city's high value and middle value suburbs however, property damage and unlawful entry are of greater concern."

Eves says traditionally studies tend to focus on the impact of infrastructure, transport, air pollution and vehicle noise on residential prices.

Research on the impact of crime is expected to increase with the emergence of news-on-demand and social media boosting awareness of criminal acts in particular suburbs.