14 September 2004
Nhulunbuy Records Less Property Offences
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There were 275 less reported property offences in Nhulunbuy in the year to June 2004 compared to figures for the same period in 2002/03.
The figure is part of the Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics compiled by the Office of Crime Prevention released today covering the June 04 quarter.
Justice Minister Dr Peter Toyne said this fall sustains a consistent reduction in property crime since the statistics started to be compiled two years ago.
“It’s a truly remarkable turnaround, we have 5000 less offences over the past 12 months, that’s 5000 less people who have had property damaged or stolen,” Dr Toyne said.
“Our targeted programs are working, police and the community are working to identify trouble spots and then fix them.”
The year-to-year comparisons of the financial years 02/03 to 03/04 show house break-ins were down 73 percent or 24 less offences and commercial break-ins were down 75 percent or 52 less offences.
“Initiatives aimed at helping reduce the incidents of crime range from increasing police numbers to making tougher laws to deter criminal activity,’’ Dr Toyne said.
“The government takes a multi-layered approach to crime reduction and prevention and we hope to encourage participation by the community in helping us fight crime.
“Initiatives such as the Galiwinku Community Law and Order Strategy, which has received a $15,000 Crime Prevention grant for the night patrol, helps locals to address their crime problems.
“The strategy is being developed to appropriately recognise, and where possible combines and links, Yolgnu with Western law.”
The yearly comparison for offences against the person shows a decrease of five percent or four less offences.
The figures also show an increase in reported sexual assault case numbers – 43 percent or three additional offences in the year.
“The government’s Sexual Assault Taskforce continues its vital work on a targeted sexual assault prevention plan and we’ve introduced tougher laws for those who prey on children,” Dr Toyne said.
Year to Year comparisons:
This data compares figures from one 12 month period to the next. Among the other key findings comparing the total number of offences in the 12 months to June 04 to the total number of offences in the 12 months to June 03:
- assaults decreased by 14% (10 less offences)
- property damage decreased by 62% (109 less offences)
- motor vehicle theft and related offences decreased by 26% (6 less offences)
Quarter to Quarter comparisons:
Quarterly comparisons are the figures from the March 04 quarter (January/February/March) compared to the figures from the June 04 quarter (April/May/June). Key findings include:
- total number of offences against the person were down by 20% (4 less offences)
- assaults decreased by 47% (8 less offences)
- sexual assaults up by 400% (4 additional offences)
- total number of property offences were down 39% (23 less offences)
- house break-ins decreased 25% (1 less offence)
- commercial break-ins decreased by 78% (7 less offences)
- motor vehicle theft and related offences down by 83% (5 less offences)
- property damage down 47% (8 less offences)
Trends:
Trends are detected when there is an upward or downward movement in recorded crime levels of the last 12 months’ data. There was a slight upward trend recorded in house break-ins and a substantial downward trend noted for property damage.
June Quarter 2004 Crime and Justice Statistics and Regional Fact Sheets are available online at www.crimeprevention.nt.gov.au
NOTE:
- The preceding statistics are a measure of recorded crime across the Territory.
- The data is collected from the Police Real-time On-line Management Information System.
- Nationally it is recognised that there are varying levels of un-reported crime in our community but that recorded crime is the best available measure of changes in the level of crime in a community.
- Statistics in the Territory can be highly volatile, with large swings from one period or another. This is particularly the case for regional centres where small populations and changes in operational or administrative procedures may heavily influence statistics.