Household break-ins have risen in Katherine.
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In the latest crime statistics released by Northern Territory police this week, sexual assaults have also risen sharply in the past year.
Commenting on crime figures from the past year, Commander Matthew Hollamby said Katherine had experienced a marginal increase of six per cent in assault offences.
“However figures still remain at the second lowest level over the last six years,” he said.
“We continue to see reductions in the proportions of assaults that are associated with alcohol or domestic violence, though these factors still contribute to two-thirds of assaults in the area.
“Targeted Point of Sale Intervention activities have reduced the public consumption of alcohol and consequently also reduced the level of assaults experienced in previous years.
“The reintroduction of the Banned Drinkers Register may assist in controlling problem drinkers accessing alcohol.”
Commander Hollamby said the reduction in public intoxication and street drinking had improved the amenity of Katherine.
Katherine has been affected by a rise in property crime.
“Commercial break-ins are still at their lowest levels in the last six years but household break-ins have increased,” he said.
“The increase was due to crime series between September 2016 and April 2017.”
Offenders were apprehended for these series and break-ins have returned to significantly lower levels in May and June, he said.
Home security is a feature of policing operations, particularly during the school holiday periods when residents are away on holidays.
“In Katherine, operations targeting both youth engagement and property crime have and will continue to be implemented during the major school holiday periods.
“The most basic security measure is to lock your doors at night or when your home or car is unattended.”
In other areas in his command, Commander Hollamby said in Nhulunbuy, violent crime has reduced over the 12 month period to some of the lowest levels in the past six years.
“Unfortunately, alcohol and domestic violence continue to feature as factors in these statistics.
“Nhulunbuy Police continue to work closely with local service providers to target the causal factors of crime.
“Property crime has decreased overall by 18 per cent, but there has been in an increase in commercial break-ins, primarily due to a crime series late in the reporting period.
“Crimes such as ‘fridging’ can be prevented through utilising basic security precautions.
“Nhulunbuy demonstrates very low levels of property crime and a small number of incidents can have significant impact upon percentages when comparing with other years.”
Northern Command police encourage the community to report all suspicious activity and offending by reporting crimes to 131 444 or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.