‘Not much evidence of crime reducing in Alice Springs yet’

The “handholding” approach to crime used by the previous NT Labor Government for eight years will take more thana couple of months to turn around in Alice Springs a local member says.

Alice Springs Local Court. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The Speaker of the NT Legislative Assembly Robyn Lambley says the “handholding” approach to crime used by the previous Labor Government for eight years will take more than

a couple of months to turn around in Alice Springs.

Ms Lambley, in her role as the Member for Araluen, said there was not much evidence of crime reducing in Alice Springs yet.

“Labor’s ‘crime crisis’ is continuing to paralyse us despite the more aggressive approach by the CLP Government,” Ms Lambley said.

“With the new CLP NT Government getting ‘tough on crime’ through stricter laws and policies, most of us are trying to remain hopeful that crime levels will soon start to reduce.

“As a part of their “reducing crime” strategy more criminals or offenders are being locked up, instead of bailed. As a consequence, our prison incarceration rates in the NT have hit

historically high levels.

Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley says Labor’s ‘crime crisis’ is continuing to paralyse Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“One can only assume that the impact of this will soon start to be felt.”

NT Police commander Peter Malley said he had noticed evidence the new government’s tough-on-crime approach was working.

“Last week in Alice Springs I can certainly see a difference down there,” he said.

One really good measurement that I use is the burglaries, unlawful entries, how many break-ins are happening.

“Before Christmas we were getting up to 15 a day, 40-50 a week. Now they are down in the teens. Once again, it’s not acceptable, but they are moving in the right direction.”