Alice Springs records 17 per cent spike in home break ins

Alice Springs has been hit by an alarming spike in home break ins and assaults, new crime data shows.

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ASSAULTS in Central Australia remain high with the latest NT Police crime statistics revealing crime against the person is up 30 per cent in Tennant Creek and eight per cent in Alice Springs the year to March 2021, compared to the previous 12 months.

For the same comparative period, house break-ins increased by 17.5 per cent and commercial break-ins increased by six per cent.

Motor vehicle theft and property damage offences continue to be on a downward trend decreasing by 24.5 per cent with theft and related offences decreasing by 11.7 per cent.

In Tennant Creek house break-ins have decreased by 26.5 per cent as well as commercial break-ins decreasing by 30.1 per cent.

Superintendent Antony Deutrom said statistics showed crimes against the person were “alarming” and the main cause was identified as alcohol misuse.

“Additional controls need to be considered to reduce these incidents occurring,” he said.

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He said police were doing consistent work around trying to decrease break-ins, which included repeat offender management, bail compliance, increased use of CCTV and increased use of community and victim engagement.

“Unfortunately there is a small cohort of people that are responsible for these offences.

“A part of it is understanding who they are, making sure there are appropriate controls and bail compliance regimes in place, electrotonic monitoring where appropriate and making sure they families understand their responsibilities when someone is placed into their care,” he said.

Supt Deutrom said there were a number of agencies working alongside police who were focused on driving the numbers down.

“Clearly with the stats we’ve seen there’s room for improvement. We’ve got to understand each other … so we can contribute on getting it down.”

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