‘It’s incredibly concerning’: Fears property crime could rise as COVID cash dries up

The NT Police Commissioner has raised concerns the Territory could see an increase in property crime as COVID payments start drying up.

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NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has raised concerns the Territory could see an increase in property crime as COVID payments now start drying up.

Territory police has linked the doubling of Centrelink payments and early access to superannuation — under the government’s COVID-19 response plan — to a notable increase of alcohol in the community.

Commissioner Chalker recently told Sky News he was worried there could be an increase in property crime as this money dries up now and people go looking for alcohol.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner also acknowledged this potential problem and said the risk of a crime increase was something police “must plan for”.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy said officers across the NT would continue to monitor trends to prevent, detect, disrupt and deter crime.

“Numerous aspects of people’s lives have been impacted, particularly through the pandemic, including unemployment, access to and removal of finances through Job Keeper, Job Seeker and Superannuation,” he said. “These economic factors impact upon the evolution of crime trends.

“Loss of employment and other factors may lead people to use licit and illicit substances, lower level of tolerance, which we know can enable other crime types like domestic and family violence, breaking into residences and businesses to steal money or other property to trade for cash or drugs.”

Territorians accessed their retirement and superannuation funds at a proportionately higher rate than elsewhere in the country during COVID, with over 26,000 Territorians withdrawing $215 million in total from their super. Commander Matthew Hollamby said many itinerants in Darwin relied on those COVID payments and would be impacted as they taper off.

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It comes as police reported a spike in break ins — predominantly related to alcohol — across Darwin and Palmerston over Easter.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said it was “incredibly concerning” to hear warnings from the police commissioner of a surge in property offences once the COVID payments run out.

“This will add to the disturbingly high rate of violent crime – assault, domestic violence and alcohol-related assaults – right across the Northern Territory due to the Gunner Labor Government’s failed policies on law and order, and alcohol,” she said.