A new report from the Strategic Policy Institute says climate change could lead to an increase in crime. An independent think tank has found most senior police officers do not consider climate change to be relevant to their work.

But the report's author, Anthony Bergin, is predicting global warming will lead to an increase in violent crime and so called 'climate crime'. "I think as water becomes like liquid gold we're more likely to see examples of individuals stealing water or syphoning from river systems," he said.

More police resources may be needed to cope with an influx of migrants from low lying areas as the sea level rises. Carbon trading fraud could become a new focus for the federal police.

(ABC, 23/10/2008)