‘Police will not be resting on our laurels’: Top cop weighs in on Alice Springs’ Operation Shorewood

THE multi-agency police operation targeting crime through Operation Shorewood is seeing good results, according to a top NT cop

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THE multi-agency police operation targeting crime in Alice Springs is seeing good results, according to Southern Commander Craig Laidler.

“Police are pleased with the results of Operation Shorewood so far but we are only part way through the holiday period, so police will not be resting on our laurels,” said Commander Laidler.

“The multi-agency approach of Operation Shorewood continues to strengthen relationships with police and other stakeholders, particularly through Operation Lunar where intervention and support is able to be provided to at-risk youths.”

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As part of Shorewood, police have deployed mobile CCTV units to the CBD and other areas of interest to both deter would-be crooks and to help identify anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour.

However, President of the Criminal Lawyers Association NT Marty Aust said CCTV is not an effective deterrent against crime.

“These offences are not significantly premeditated. They’re largely opportunistic and the kinds of people committing them are not master criminals — they’re generally people that are unfortunately looking for grog,” Mr Aust said.

Mr Aust commended Shorewood’s overall aim, saying “a multi-agency collaborative approach that is aimed at taking people at risk away from the criminal justice system would be fantastic.”

The multi-agency police operation targeting crime in Alice Springs is seeing good results, according to Southern Commander Craig Laidler

However, he also warned against “surveillance in the extreme.”

“If we just round up suspected offenders after the fact, then how is that improving the outcomes for anybody?”

“The things that work (to prevent crime) are finding people work, transition programs from prisons, education, employment, access to health. And, of course, at number one, meaningful needs-based rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.

“If you start dealing with those issues you can start to reduce and prevent crime. The money that we’re currently spending on surveillance equipment would be far better spent on those things.”

Neighbourhood Watch NT (NHWNT) Executive Officer Hannah Finbow commended the work of police.

“NT Police are working incredibly hard to help create safer and more secure Territory neighbourhoods, but we can all play a part in community safety,” Ms Finbow said.

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NHWNT has partnered with Victims of Crime NT to create ‘How safe is my place?’ which assists Territorians to understand their current home security levels and provides practical tips to help increase their home security.