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Crime and justice statistics released today show a reduction on the number of assaults and numbers of property break-ins reported in the Territory in the June quarter.

 

The Crime and Justice Statistics for the June 2009 quarter are based on offences recorded in the Territory Police case management system PROMIS.

 

The Minister for Justice, Delia Lawrie, said while a 14 per cent decrease in the number of assaults recorded in the Territory compared to the March quarter was welcome, disappointingly overall the trend continued to increase.

 

“While there was a 14 per cent drop in crimes against the person including assault and sexual assault in the June quarter, there has been a 9 per cent increase in the year to June,” Ms Lawrie said.

 

“There were 1,375 assaults recorded in the June quarter across the Territory which represents 90 per cent of all offences against the person.

 

“And while there has been a marginal drop in the proportion of assaults that were alcohol-related, 58 per cent is unacceptable.”

 

Ms Lawrie said the proportion of assaults that were domestic violence related across the NT was 50 per cent for the year to June 2009, which was trending down from the peak of 57.8 per in the year to June 2006.

 

“While this is still too high it does show the concerted effort by through the Police Violent Crime Reduction Strategy as well as the Government’s domestic violence strategy is having an impact,” she said.

 

There were 269 fewer property offences in the June quarter which resulted in a 5 per cent drop compared to the March quarter.

 

“Over the past year there has been a 2 per cent drop in property offences in the Territory however disappointingly there has been a 16 per cent increase in motor vehicle theft and related offences,” Ms Lawrie said.

 

“I would urge all motorists to ensure they lock their cars and remove all valuables that may present an opportunity for thieves to break into a car.”

 

There was a 16 per cent drop in commercial break-ins for the June quarter as well as a 3 per cent drop for the year to June.

 

Ms Lawrie said the Northern Territory Government had provided record funding for Police, Fire and Emergency Services.

 

Over the past eight years, the NT Government has increased funding by 104 per cent for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and provided funding for an extra 339 new police officers.

 

“The Government will continue to ensure our police and emergency services have the resources they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour,” Ms Lawrie said.

 

Contact: Campbel Giles 0407 972 900

 

Darwin

 

Assaults dropped 23 per cent in the June quarter and are 1 per cent down in the year to June. Overall offences against the person have dropped 18 per cent in the quarter and are 3 per cent lower for the year to June.

 

Of all assaults, 52 per cent were alcohol-related while 24 per cent were domestic violence related.

 

Property offences are 2 per cent lower for the June quarter and 7 per cent lower for the year to June.

 

There was a 13 per cent increase in motor vehicle theft and related offences in the year to June.

 

Palmerston

 

There was a 1 per cent increase in assaults recorded from the previous quarter and a 22 per cent increase in assaults over the past 12 months.

 

Overall there was a 21 per cent increase in crimes against the person over the past 012 months.

 

Alcohol was involved in 49 per cent of assaults while 46 per cent were domestic violence related.

 

There was a 26 per cent reduction in the number of commercial break-ins over the past quarter and 56 house break-ins recorded.

 

Overall there was a 5 per cent reduction in property offences for the June quarter and a 14 per cent decrease in the year to June.

 

Alice Springs

 

There was a 17 per cent decrease in assaults recorded for the June quarter but a 18 per cent increase in assaults in the year to June.

 

Sixty-five per cent of assaults were reported as alcohol related while 55 per cent were domestic violence related.

 

Overall there was a 9 per cent reduction in property offences this quarter with a four per cent drop in house break-ins and a 23 per cent reduction in commercial break-ins.

 

Katherine

 

Offences against the person decreased by 9 per cent this quarter which included a 8 per cent decrease in assaults and a 17 per cent decrease in sexual assaults recorded.

 

There were 74 per cent alcohol related assaults with 59 per cent domestic violence related.

 

Property offences dropped 26 per cent this quarter with commercial break-ins down 44 per cent and house break-ins down 54 percent.

 

Tennant Creek

 

Overall there was a 6 per cent decrease in offences against the person however there were 113 assaults recorded this quarter, the same as the previous quarter.

 

Seventy-three per cent of assaults were alcohol related and 65 per cent were domestic violence related.

 

There was a 16 per cent reduction in property offences in the June quarter with a 46 per cent drop in commercial break-ins and 16 house break-ins recorded, the same as the previous quarter.

 

 

Nhulunbuy

 

Overall there has been a 29 per cent reduction in the number of crimes against the person recorded in the year to June however there was a 22 per cent increase in the June quarter which included four more assaults and 1 more sexual assault recorded than the previous quarter.

 

Seventy-four per cent of assaults were alcohol related and 37 per cent were domestic violence related.

 

There has been 16 per cent drop in property offences recorded this quarter including a 38 per cent reduction in house break-ins and a 29 per cent drop in commercial break-ins compared to the March quarter.

 

 

 

 

Related files:
091006 Lawrie Crime Stats.pdf ( 93.48 kb )