Alice Springs Crime Rises

"Crime figures released today are a further demonstration of the Martin Government's neglect of law and order in Alice Springs,” says Jodeen Carney, Leader of the Opposition.

"Crime statistics can be volatile, but over the last two years there has been a disturbingly high level of criminal activity in Alice Springs.

"The year to March 2006 was a particularly bad year for criminal behaviour in Alice and, unfortunately, the year to March 2007 is only slightly better.

"As a consequence, there has been a fall in most recorded categories of crime over the past 12 months, but the level of criminal behaviour is still well above the long-term average.”

In the 12 months to the end of March 2005, there were 801 reported assaults in Alice Springs, in the 12 months to the end of March 2006 there were 1156 and in the 12 months to the end of 2007, that figure was 999.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2005, there were 30 reported sexual assaults, in 2006 the figure was 60 and in 2007 the figure was 40.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2005, there were 204 reported house break-ins, in 2006 the figure was 277 and in 2007 that figure was 240.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2005, there were 156 reported commercial break-ins, in 2006 the figure was 273 and in March 2007 that figure was 320.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2005, there were 241 motor vehicle thefts, in 2006 there were 266 and in March 2007 that figure was 263.

"These figures confirm it has been a particularly difficult period of the people of Alice Springs,” says Ms Carney.

"They also help explain why some people have left town - they are sick of the violence and anti-social behaviour.

"The Martin Government has to put the safety of the people of Alice Springs, and there property, on an equal footing with the people of Darwin.”

2007-07-10