NT Police report reveals drop in Territorians feeling safe, dissatisfaction with police
An alarming number of Territorians do not feel safe in their own homes, a new report reveals, while community satisfaction with police has dropped. Read the statistics.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Almost a third of Territorians do not feel safe being alone in their own home overnight, the NT Police’s annual report has revealed.
Community satisfaction with police has also dropped, while offending rates have taken some turns over the last year.
NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, in the force’s 2022 annual report’s introduction, said the demands on officers continued “unabated”.
“Our workload dealing with the increase of domestic violence incidents has never been greater, and our jails are full,” he said.
“We are continually working on strengthening partnerships with government and non-government agencies to reduce the incidence of domestic and family violence.”
An Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency survey included in the report showed 30.8 per cent of people did not feel safe at night in their own homes.
That figure is about 10 per cent higher than 2018-19.
The number of people who agreed police performed their job professionally and were satisfied with police also dropped.
Crime rates over the 12 months to July 2022 varied significantly compared to the previous year.
Homicide and related offences, such as manslaughter, doubled from 12 to 24.
Sexual assault and related offences dropped by almost 20 per cent, while robbery rose 41 per cent to 316 reports throughout the year.
Offences against property rose almost 21 per cent to 22,000 charges.
While the road toll was at 48 for 2022, compared to 30 this time last year, police only conducted about one-third of its roadside breath tests target.
About 55,000 breath tests were recorded, despite NT Police setting a goal of at least 159,000 for the year.
A long-awaited review into mental health support for officers was also mentioned several times throughout the annual report.
“Importantly for our staff, we initiated an independent review delivering recommendations for enhanced support and wellbeing services for our employees and volunteers,” Commissioner Chalker said.
“We have announced a number of immediate actions to improve support for our employees and volunteers as the agency works toward implementation of a dedicated Wellbeing Strategy in 2022–23.”
The final strategy was expected to be released in late 2022.
It comes after a union-backed independent review of NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services Support and Wellbeing programs was completed in May.
More Coverage
Originally published as NT Police report reveals drop in Territorians feeling safe, dissatisfaction with police
Livestream: Stingers take on Brisbane in Festival of Hockey
The NT Stingers will square-off against the Brisbane Blaze in the second Festival of Hockey this week. Find out how to watch all four matches live with us here.
Man who allegedly attacked bus driver could face more charges
A young man in the grips of a psychotic episode allegedly attacked a driver and caused a Top End bus to come to a screeching halt on the highway, a court has heard.