ACT Policing’s latest crime statistics show crime reports across the ACT dropped 10 per cent in the last year, following a five-year downward trend with property crime leading the way.
The ACT has seen a drop of a third in crime reports over the last five years from 43,139 in 2009 to 28,976 in 2013, excluding Traffic Infringement Notices and road fatalities or collisions with injury.
Reports of crimes against property have taken the steepest dive over the last five years with reports of motor vehicle theft down 66 per cent, burglary down 57 per cent, robbery down 54 per cent and theft down 28 per cent. Reports of property damage, which include damage by fire, explosion, graffiti and/or other methods, dropped 48 per cent.
Acting Chief Police Officer for the ACT, David Pryce, is pleased to see the continued reduction in crime across the ACT, which he attributes to joint ACT Government initiatives, ACT Policing’s crime reduction strategies and the support of the ACT community.
“The continued downward trend in crime is pleasing and demonstrates that our targeted crime reduction strategies are effective. However, we cannot take these results for granted and must continue to work together as a community to prevent and fight crime,” Acting Chief Police Officer Pryce said.
The ACT Government 2012-15 Property Crime Reduction Strategy has been in place since May 2012, building on the strong results of the previous property crime reduction strategy from 2004 to 2007. The strategy focuses on crime prevention within the community and diversion of recidivist and young offenders, and strong whole-of-Government collaboration between ACT Directorates.
“The support of the community is vital to ensuring continued crime reduction can be achieved. Community based activities such as ACT Neighbourhood Watch and ACT Crime Stoppers are two excellent examples of how active involvement of the community can help make the ACT one of the safest communities in Australia,” said Acting Chief Police Officer Pryce.
The latest crime statistics also show a drop of 14 per cent in reports of crime across the ACT when comparing the October to December quarter of 2013 to the same quarter in the previous year. This was led by a 28 per cent drop in reports of crime in Weston Creek, closely followed by a 27 per cent drop in Woden and a 21 per cent drop in Tuggeranong.
Members wishing to join or know more about ACT Neighbourhood Watch should visit its website at www.nhwact.com.au
Anyone with information about a crime can make a report to Crime Stoppers, anytime, on 1800 333 000 or via its website www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.
People contacting Crime Stoppers can choose to remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward payment of up to $1,000.
The latest interactive CrimeStatistics can be found at police.act.gov.au.
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