SIMON Corbell says the ACT experienced reductions in both property crime and crimes against the person in the last quarter of last year according to new figures.
The December 2014 Criminal Justice Statistical Profile, tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly today, showed a decrease in a number of crimes, including a 33% decrease in sexual assault offences.
“Abduction, harassment and other offences against a person fell by 18% and property damage and environmental pollution offences dropped by 17%,” Simon said.
“There are also decreases in assaults (down 11%), public order offences (down 6%), theft and related offences (down 4%), and robbery and extortion (down by 3%).”
The figures also showed a 25% fall in the number of alcohol related charges for assault offences, with 272 people charged, compared to 364 in the same period the previous year.
“These positive results reflect our committed and responsive ACT Police force, and the continued efforts to prevent crime and support those who have been affected by crime.
“There was a decrease in admissions for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (down 32%) and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (down 24%) to the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.
“There is a slight upward trend in the number of apprehensions and arrests for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, however, as the figure is quite small it should be interpreted cautiously.
“This strengthens the need to finalise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Partnership for 2015-2017 and continue working with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and the community to improve law and justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the ACT.
“The Government has a strong commitment to reducing crime and increasing community safety which is evidenced by the number of positive results in this quarter profile.”
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