Sexual assault rockets 128pc in Tennant Creek, domestic violence up 21pc in Alice Springs

Sexual assaults in Tennant Creek rocketed have skyrocketed in the year to April 30, while assaults have increased across the Territory by a quarter.

SEXUAL assaults in Tennant Creek rocketed a shocking 129 per cent in the year to April 30, while assaults have increased across the Territory by a quarter, new NT Police statistics reveal.

Compared to the 12 months prior, domestic violence related assaults in Alice Springs jumped more than 20 per cent, while there were a total of 674 house break-ins reported, up by more than 100 from the previous year.

Southern Watch Commander Craig Laidler said the assaults were “cowardly acts”, and that alcohol and domestic violence plays a part in their occurrence.

“It’s deplorable behaviour,” he said.

“Assaults continue to be a challenge for police in both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.

“We’ve got to deal with the people as those offences occur, and do everything in the we can – across not just police, (but) multi-agencies – to prevent people having access to alcohol and that level of harm.”

MORE TOP NEWS

New NT crime stats show big jump in alcohol-related assaults

Man killed in road train crash on Stuart Highway, near Barrow Creek

Majority of documents sought by Zachary Rolfe defence team to remain redacted, judge rules

Commander Laidler encouraged victims of domestic assault and domestic violence to report issues to police at the earliest stage.

“If there is domestic violence occurring, even at the lowest level, those reports are made so that we can intervene at the earliest possible opportunity,” he said.

“They should know that we’re doing everything we can – where we can intervene – to reduce the this number of assaults and the incidence of domestic violence.”

Commander Laidler said 40 new recruits had been inducted into the Alice Springs police force on June 17.

While crimes against the person increased across the board for residents of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, house break-ins and commercial break-in were down about a fifth in Tennant Creek, and motor vehicle theft declined by 17 per cent in Alice Springs.

Commander Laidler said reducing crimes against property had been a key focus for police, which had led to some positive results.

“Police, through Strikeforce Viper, continue to focus on managing and investigating property crime, particularly house and commercial break-ins,” he said.

“With a focus on recidivist offending, police have made some significant arrests to disrupt property crime offending.”

With Covid-19 supplement payments by the federal government discontinued, Commander Laidler said the team would be vigilant of the pandemic’s impact on the community.

“The Southern Command continues to monitor the ongoing situation with Covid-19 and ensure police are prepared to provide a response that will continue to keep the community safe,” he said.

“With ongoing hot spots occurring interstate, the Southern Command responds to each of these as they occur.”

Follow @leesaulrobinson