Reported crime continues to decrease

The latest quarterly report card on criminal trends in the ACT shows further decreases in property damage showing targeted policing efforts are proving effective, Attorney General, Simon Corbell, said today.

"I am pleased to see that there has been a downward trend in the incidences of property damage, however, with these downward trends we must ensure that we don't become complacent about protecting our property from criminal activity," Mr Corbell said.

The criminal justice statistical profile, December 2011 quarter figures, tabled today in the Legislative Assembly, show annual decreases in most criminal offences.

Some of the key annual downward trends include:

• Motor vehicle theft (down 40%)
• Burglary/break and enter (down 36%)
• Weapons offences (down 30%)
• Robbery offences (down 28%)
• Assaults intending to cause injury (down 5%)

Mr Corbell said while there had been slight increases in some categories in the quarterly statistics, the annual decreases were encouraging.

"The ACT Government and ACT Policing are working hard on strategies that work to see ongoing downward trends in offences, particularly property crime in the Territory," Mr Corbell said.

"These statistics show that a small number of offences in any particular category, between quarters, can change percentage trends, and this latest report shows that we must work together as a community to combat any spikes in criminal behaviour.

"It is important also that people report criminal activity and work cooperatively with authorities to provide information which may lead to arrests or resolving cases."

The ACT Government is currently finalising it property crime reduction strategy which will detail ongoing efforts to protect the community from property crime.