Alice Springs is ‘losing control of law and order’: Robyn Lambley
ALICE Springs is ‘losing control of law and order’ and residents are watching it slide into a crime ‘hell hole’, according to Araluen MLA, Robyn Lambley
Alice Springs
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ALICE Springs is “looking and feeling more like Beirut every day”, according to Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley.
Ms Lambley said on a Facebook post the town was “losing control of law and order” and residents were “watching it slide into a hell hole” after recent reports of a spate of crimes.
According to the latest statistics from NT Police, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek have experienced an increase in assaults for the 12- month period ending July 2020 compared to the same period the previous year, but were continuing to have a downward trend in residential and commercial break-ins.
Braitling MLA and shadow minister for youth Joshua Burgoyne said Alice Springs was “in the middle of a youth crisis”.
Mr Burgoyne said there was “an increasing number of young people on the streets engaging in anti-social behaviour, especially at night, which unfortunately leads to instances of crime”.
The Southern Command, which includes the Southern Desert, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and Barkly Divisions, had a reduction in property crime for the 12- month period ending July 2020 compared to the 12- month period ending July 2019.
Residential break-ins in Alice Springs decreased by 17.0 per cent and commercial break-ins decreased by 6.9 per cent. Motor vehicle theft and related offences for the same period were significantly down in both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek with a decrease in Alice Springs of 33.3 per cent and Tennant Creek with a decrease of 37.8 per cent.
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There had been a 12.1 per cent increase in assaults in Alice Springs and a 20.2 per cent increase in assaults in Tennant Creek.
Acting Commander Southern Command Craig Laidler said police held concerns around the increase of alcohol-related assaults “as it has a direct impact on both urban and remote communities”.
“The 12-month period ending July 2020 compared to the same period from the previous year has seen an increase in alcohol-related assaults by 10 per cent in Alice Springs and 32 per cent in Tennant Creek. However, in comparison to the 12-month periods before the period ending July 2019, the 12-month period ending July 2020 is the lowest since 2015.”
“However, in comparison to the 12 month periods before the period ending July 2019, the 12 month period ending July 2020 is the lowest since 2015.”
In regards to property offences, Acting Commander Laidler said the cancellation of events which resulted in a reduction in visitors to town has played a role, as has the number of people staying or working from home.
“Operation Lincoln started in May 2020 and will continue until 30 October 2020. Operation Lincoln targets crime hotspots and problematic areas by maintaining high visibility patrols,” Acting Commander Laidler said.
“It is also a co-ordination of intelligence led policing and specialist resources to maintain pressure on identified groups or recidivist offenders.
“The COVID-19 precautions, including the biosecurity lock downs, has also had an effect on crime with reduced visitor and traveller numbers and the cancellation of some events.
“Police continue to ensure engagement and messaging focuses around securing homes, vehicles and premises to work in partnership with the community.”
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