Crime reports across Canberra have dropped 10.5 per cent in the first months of 2016, according to police.
Weston Creek has experienced the most dramatic reduction, down 21.8 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to ACT Policing statistics.
Other areas to experience a significant drop for the January to March quarter included Tuggeranong (20.6 per cent), Belconnen (17.9 per cent), Woden (17.7 per cent) and the Inner North (17.5 per cent).
The statistics exclude traffic infringement notices and collisions.
Over the quarter, three districts experienced an increase in crime reports, including the Inner South (up 12 per cent), Gungahlin (32 per cent) and the Molonglo District (82.9 per cent), where reports rose from 35 to 64.
Police say these increases can be explained, in part, by a continued expansion in population in those districts.
The quarterly statistics reveal robbery reports were down 39 per cent in the March quarter compared with same period last year.
Other drops were recorded in motor vehicle theft, down 38 per cent, sexual assault (down 23.8 per cent) and property damage (down 7.6 per cent).
However, reports of assault across the ACT increased 20 per cent and burglary 11.5 per cent.
While some crime types indicate a notable change, ACT Policing is satisfied the message to report suspicious behaviour, no matter how small, is resonating with the community.
This is supported by the rise in reports of ‘other offences against a person’, up from 25 to 78.
Such offences include acts intended to threaten or harass, which are often under-reported.
Craig McPherson, ACT Police’s acting superintendent of ministerial policy and performance, said it was encouraging to see an overall decrease in crime.
“The community should be commended as they play a significant role in reducing crime in our community, by undertaking simple preventative measures such as safeguarding their homes and vehicles, and actively reporting suspicious behaviour to police and Crime Stoppers.”
The full January to March 2016 quarterly crime statistics can be found on police.act.gov.au.
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