Armed heists increasing on Gold Coast

There have been more than 60 armed robberies on the Gold Coast so far this year.

Police say their latest statistics, to the end of April, show 43 robberies involving weapons in the Gold Coast District, with another 19 in the Coomera District on the northern end of the tourist strip.

The Coomera District includes Pacific Pines, where Senior Constable Damien Leeding was shot on Sunday night while investigating reports of an armed robbery at Pacific Pines Tavern.

The holdups involved everything from knives and machetes to firearms and replica pistols.

In one instance in April at nearby Gaven Heights, the owner of a Chinese restaurant poured a wok full of scalding chicken chow mein over the back of a bandit who was threatening his wife with a knife.

Chi On Chung then started belting the would-be thief with his wok and ladle until the man dropped the knife.

Mrs Chung picked it up and she and her husband chased the man down the street before he got away.

Police Union president Ian Leavers says there is no doubt action is needed to address violent robberies on the Gold Coast.

"I have a firm view on the armed robberies on the Gold Coast and how they should be dealt with," he told reporters at the Pacific Pines Tavern on Monday.

"However now is not the time to start playing a blame game with the Queensland Government.

"My only concern today is the welfare of Damian and his family, who are going through an horrific time, and his fellow officers - we hope for a good outcome however it's not a good time."

Mr Leavers said Constable Leeding's patrol partner, who was with him when he was shot but was not wounded herself, has re-enacted the incident for detectives.

The officer, whose name has not been released, gave emergency first aid to Const Leeding as he lay in the car park of the tavern after being blasted at close range with a sawn-off shotgun.

"She is in shock, she is hurt and she is in pain, but she is being supported by all hercolleagues," he said.

Mr Leavers said he has taken calls of sympathy and support from police from all over Queensland and throughout the country.

"This could happen to any one of the 55,000 police in Australia."

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