Home break-ins soar in Port Adelaide, but drop overall across South Australia, new data shows
Home break-ins have dropped dramatically across SA amid the pandemic, new figures show, except in one suburb where numbers have almost doubled. Check all suburbs on this interactive map.
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Port Adelaide has the highest rate of home break-ins out of any metropolitan area, with new SA Police data revealing an 85 per cent increase in the suburb.
However, figures also show serious criminal trespasses across the state plummeted by nearly 20 per cent – possibly due to COVID-19 rules.
During the 2019/20 financial year, there were a total of 48 serious criminal trespass offences in Port Adelaide across a population of 1276, equalling 3.76 break-ins per 100 residents.
It was an increase from 26 home thefts in the previous financial year.
Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said the council continued to upgrade infrastructure and improve lighting in public spaces so people feel safe and protected.
“We want people to feel safe and enjoy living and visiting the area, so any illegal activity is of concern to us,” she said.
“We have a large council area and we continue to work with local community groups, police and other agencies in regards to public safety.”.
Elizabeth, home to 1047 people, had the second highest rate of break-ins, with 26. Other high-rate suburbs included Elizabeth North, Elizabeth South, Carrickalinga and Ovingham.
Latest crime numbers show overall home break-ins decreased by 19 per cent. There were about 5800 home break-ins between August 2019 and July 2020, compared with 8460 in the 12 months prior.
Figures reveal a noticeable decline in these offences over the months of April, May, June and July this year, when much of the state was under strict COVID-19 restrictions.
A police spokeswoman said: “Statistically we have observed there has been a reduction in offences against property during the COVID period, but it’s too soon to establish any reliable long term trend”.
Police Minister Vincent Tarzia said the drop was also partly because of SA Police’s Operation Hurricane 2, to crack down on break-ins.
More than 1800 people were apprehended as part of the 13-week long operation.
“(It) was a targeted crime prevention and detection response that had great success,” Mr Tarzia said.
“Well-planned and formulated tactics were utilised by police to drive down crime, addressing an increase in victim-reported theft.”
Despite the drop in break-in offences, some suburban Adelaide residents have boosted security measures, including Redwood Park man Chris Burgon.
Mr Burgon installed three new security cameras after his car was broken into on Saturday, October 3 and his work tools were stolen.
“I ran over to the car and was standing there in disbelief that everything had gone,” he said.
Mr Burgon, who works in security himself, said his new cameras could be monitored on his laptop, smartphone and even his TV inside.
“If anyone walks on to the property, I’ll get a notification that a person or a vehicle has entered the premises,” he said.
Despite Redwood Park being a quiet neighbourhood, Mr Burgon said he felt safer with the new “prominent-looking” cameras.
“At night time you’ve got the red glow coming from the cameras for the infra-red light, so it definitely warns off anyone scoping the area.”
Leading the list on overall number of break-ins were regional centres Port Lincoln and Whyalla Stuart, which 117 and 114 offences recorded respectively.
Prospect had the third highest number of break-ins in SA at 108, equalled with Morphett Vale. High population figures in each of these towns and suburbs meant the per capita rates were still relatively low.
RAA Insurance Senior Manager Shaun Ryan said home burglaries highlighted the need for homeowners to be vigilant.
“No one wants to be robbed or be confronted by an intruder when they are home – especially if there are young children in the house,’’ he said.
“Don’t post on social media that you’re away from home, especially if your home has been left unattended.”