The number of robberies being committed in South Australia has continued to fall, the latest crime statistics have revealed.
The May rolling year crime statistics also reveal the overall rate of theft has decreased, murder and attempted murder have continued to decline but residential break-ins have recorded a slight increase.
The statistics also show the number of police officers being assaulted while on duty continues to rise at a concerning rate with a 26 per cent increase in offences – from 616 to 778 reported in the period.
The rolling year figures reveal that theft overall decreased by three per cent – or 1,294 reported offences. Within that category motor vehicle theft and related offences increased by three per cent – or 298 offences, theft from a person decreased by 12 per cent – or 1,730 offences – and receiving or handling the proceeds of crime increased by 47 per cent – or 1,103 offences.
Theft from retail premises recorded a four per cent decrease – or 1,027 offences – as the targeting of recidivist shop lifting offenders continued and a decrease in petrol theft was reported.
The decrease in robberies has continued with a 12 per cent decline – from 508 to 449 offences – recorded in the period. This is the ninth successive decrease in offences reported.
Acting Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations Service) David O'Donovan said the successful targeting of recidivist offenders through proactive policing was largely responsible for the sustained decrease in robberies.
"The reduction in robberies ensures a safer community, but also means there are fewer victims being left to deal with the trauma they invariably suffer following such an incident,'' he said.
After almost two years of sustained decreases the number of residential house break-ins increased by one per cent during the reporting period – from 5,677 to 5,757 offences. Non-residential break-ins remained almost steady with a slight increase – from 3,399 to 3,403 offences reported.
The number of assault offences reported increased by one per cent in the reporting period – or 123 offences. Within that category serious assault decreased by four per cent – from 16,757 to 16,072 offences – while common assault increased by four per cent – from 5,630 to 6,371 offences.
Sexual offences recorded a decrease of three per cent - from 2,747 to 2,676 offences. Within that category aggravated sexual assault remained steady with 1,595 offences reported, non-aggravated sexual assault decreased by 21 per cent – from 509 to 403 offences reported and child abuse material offences increased by three per cent – from 241 to 249 offences reported.
The number of homicide and related offences continued to decrease significantly in the reporting period. Within that category murder decreased from 11 to nine offences, attempted murder from 23 to 16 offences and manslaughter or cause death by dangerous driving from 23 to 20 offences.
