13 December 2004
Assults and Property Crime Drop in Katherine
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Peter Toyne MLA
Minister for Justice
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Assaults and property crime have dropped in Katherine according to the latest statistics on recorded offences in the area.
There were 91 less assault offences (24 percent decrease) in the current four quarters’ data compared to the previous four quarters.
The year-to-year comparisons show the total number of offences against the person in Katherine were down by 20 percent or 82 less offences.
There was also a 21 percent reduction in property offences or 233 less offences.
Over the same period there were 10 more sexual assault offences (45 percent increase).
Justice Minister Dr Peter Toyne said the latest figures sustain a consistent reduction in property crime since the statistics started more than 2 years ago.
“It’s a significant turnaround, we have 233 less offences over the past 12 months, that’s 233 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 fall in assaults is also an encouraging sign, but we need to, and will build on our initiatives to combat sexual assaults,” Dr Toyne said.
The figures are from the Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics compiled by the Office of Crime Prevention. The statistics are derived from recorded crime figures in the Territory.
Year to Year comparisons:
This data compares figures from the total number of offences in the 12 months to September 04 to the total number of offences in the 12 months to September 03. Key findings include:
- robberies decreased 67% (two less offences)
- commercial break-ins decreased 16% (18 less offences)
- motor vehicle theft and related offences decreased 14% (8 less offences)
- property damage decreased 29% (119 less offences)
Quarter to Quarter comparisons:
Quarterly comparisons are the figures from the June 04 quarter (April/May/June) compared to the figures from the September 04 quarter (July/August/Sept). Key findings include:
- total number of offences against the person were down by 10% (8 less offences)
- assaults decreased by 22% (16 less offences)
- sexual assaults increase 200% (8 more offence)
- total number of property offences were down 6% (13 less offences)
- house break-ins increased 22% (5 more offences)
- commercial break-ins increased 69% (9 more offences)
- motor vehicle theft and related offences decreased 29% (5 less offences)
- property damage offences decreased 18% (12 less offences)
Trends:
Trends are detected when there is a statistically significant upward or downward movement in recorded crime levels of the last 12 months’ data. A downward trend was detected for assaults. No other trends were identified for offences in Katherine.
September Quarter 2004 Crime and Justice Statistics and Regional Fact Sheets are available online at www.crimeprevention.nt.gov.au
NOTE:
- The above 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.