Northern Territory crime data reveals dramatic change in Alice Springs
Crime rates have plunged across the Northern Territory, with Alice Springs recording a 14 per cent drop as tough new bail laws take effect. Read the details.
Crime rates have plunged across the Northern Territory, with Alice Springs recording a 14 per cent drop as tough new bail laws take effect.
From January to August 2025, there were 1,273 less victims of crime than in the same months the previous year – a reduction of 7.4 per cent.
Over the past eight months, more than 1,200 fewer offences were recorded Territory-wide, including major reductions in robberies, house break-ins and commercial burglaries.
Between January 6 and September 30, 4,587 adults were refused bail – a 38 per cent increase on the same period last year.
In Alice Springs, overall crime is down 14 per cent, driven by a strong decline in property offending: offences against the person have dropped by 16 per cent; assaults are down by 19 per cent; residential break-ins have fallen by 24 per cent; commercial burglaries have plummeted by 38 per cent.
Alice Springs locksmith Greg Taylor said he had seen a “dramatic drop” in the number of incidents he was responding to per month.
“Last year was pretty constant: I would have got at least 30 to 40 or maybe even 50 jobs a month,” he said.
“I might have got 80 calls in October last year to react to people’s homes being broken into and having the keys stolen.
“But this year I’d be lucky to deal with six at the most a month.”
Mr Taylor added: “I’m actually confident enough to book a holiday this Christmas.”
“I haven’t had a Christmas holiday in years. There’ll be a few break-ins no doubt, but it’s much quieter than it was this time last year.
Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she travelled to Alice Springs last week to personally thank frontline officers from Strike Force Viper for their service.
“Our officers are doing an extraordinary job, and they deserve full recognition for their tireless commitment to serving and protecting our community,” she said.
“I commend magistrates for getting the message and using our strongest bail laws in the country with a 38 per cent increase in adults bail refused.”
Between May and September, the number of adults on remand decreased by 12 per cent. On June 30, 2025, the average remand time was 136.5 days – 7 per cent shorter than a year earlier.
“It’s not job done – we know there is more to do. In our year of action, certainty and security, my government will continue to hold criminals accountable and invest in addressing the root causes of crime,” she said.
“We will keep backing police with the laws, resources and tools needed to keep every Territorians safe and continue to reduce crime.”
