Central Police District's total recorded crime in the 12 months ending 30 June 2009 has decreased from the previous year.
Crime statistics released today show that Central Police District experienced a slight decrease in recorded crime for the year. Recorded offences went down from 32,651 to 32,479. This is significantly lower than that recorded in the mid to late 1990's where in excess of 45,000 offences were typically recorded.
Central Police resolved 49.5 percent of recorded offences in the year ended 30 June 2009, down slightly from 49.9 percent the previous year, but above the national average of 47.9 percent.
Within the total volume of recorded crime, some types of offences have increased, whilst others have decreased.
Increases included drugs and anti-social offences, which rose 20 percent, sexual offences, which rose by 10 percent; and violence offences which rose 5 percent.
Dishonesty offences continued their decrease from last year reducing by almost 5 percent.
The 5 percent increase in the total number of recorded violence offences has been driven almost entirely by an increase in recorded family violence, which increased 10 percent. The results are consistent with the national picture, where we have seen significant increases in recorded family violence offences following the roll-out of mandatory training to all front-line staff in 2007 and publicity campaigns about family violence. Many people may now be reporting to Police family violence offences which in the past may not have come to Police attention. What these figures do tell us is that Police are dealing with more matters as family violence offences.
Once the effect of the increased recording of family violence is accounted for, the violence recorded by Police has decreased, with the notable exception of offences recorded as intimidation and threats (increased by 125 offences). This represents Police intervening early and adopting a low tolerance to violent and anti-social behaviour
The factors dominating the increase in recorded drugs and anti-social offences are the breach of liquor ban offences (+90 percent), and drugs (cannabis) offences (+27 percent).
The increase of breach of liquor ban offences is largely due to a change of recording practice. Once this effect is taken into account, Police still recorded an increase of 27 percent in this type of offending. This is the result of Police action and a policy of early intervention and adopting a prevention focus to enforce the community's wishes to reduce the effects of alcohol in public places.
The increase in cannabis offences reflects increased proactive actions by Police. The District's phase of the National Cannabis Control operation resulted in 257 people including gang members and prolific offenders being charged. Cannabis is not the harmless drug that is often portrayed as. For many, the cost of cannabis offending represents extended time on hospital waiting lists, poor educational outcomes, and in general a reduction in life opportunities. Using estimates from the National Drug Harm Index it has been estimated that a saving of nearly $30m in social harm costs has been made as a result of this year's cannabis recovery programme in Central District.
Dishonesty offences continued its reduction from last year with a 5 percent decrease in 2008/09 from 16,410 recorded offences in 2007/08 to 15,645 in 2008/09. This was driven mainly by the reduction in theft offences (-1,039) and car conversion offences (-231).
However, burglary (+456) offences increased from last year. This level is still much lower than that experienced in the late 1990's. House burglary remains one of our main priority areas due to the detrimental effect that this crime has on victims. Our focus on repeat offenders remains and we continue to look at ways that individuals, especially repeat victims of burglary, can better protect their property.