ACT Policing has published its crime statistics for the third quarter of 2012 through its online CrimeStatistics website, which has received more than 17 000 interactive views since the inception in February this year.
The third quarter represented a decline in the majority of offence types reported to police including assaults, sexual assaults, robberies, burglaries, property damage and motor vehicle thefts but an increase in thefts (excluding motor vehicle theft) when compared with the same period (July to September) last year.
Of note, the ACT experienced a decrease of 29 per cent in the number of property damage reports received by police when compared to the third quarter 2011 report.
Overall, the ACT has experienced a 16.7 per cent decrease in the total number of offences reported to police when compared with the same quarter in 2011.
Acting Chief Police Officer for the ACT David McLean said that the overall decline in the crime statistics was pleasing, but there were some suburbs that experienced an increase.
“Burglaries across the Territory declined by 2.9 per cent, but the Gungahlin district did have an increase in the number of burglaries reported. This increase was due to a spate of burglaries committed upon newly constructed houses in the new areas around Crace, Bonner and Casey,” Commander McLean said.
Another notable decline was in relation to assaults.
“Across the Territory we saw a decrease of 18 per cent, and in particular, around the inner north area, a decline of 25 per cent. Given this is the major entertainment precinct, these number are encouraging, but with the warmer months approaching we need to remain on top of this issue.”
Since the launch of CrimeStatistics, the website has been viewed 17 815 times, with users spending, on average ten minutes viewing the site.
“One of the reasons we launched the interactive online crime maps was to provide the community with unfiltered information about actual crime in their suburb, so they can analyse rates of crime occurring in their neighbourhood, and view trends over time,” Commander McLean said.
This quarter’s results build on the performance of the 2011–12 financial year, with the ACT Policing Annual Report confirming the lowest rate of property offences (motor vehicle theft, burglaries, property damage etc) in the ACT for more than 10 years.
The interactive CrimeStatistics can be found at police.act.gov.au.
For police attendance, contact ACT Policing on 131 444. To report a crime or suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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