Commenting on recent crime statistics, acting Commander Lauren Hill said Katherine’s total property offences fell by 15 per cent over the past six months when compared with the previous year.

Acting Commander Hill said Katherine experienced an increase in the number of reported violent crimes during December.

Assault offences increased by 11 per cent (32 offences). This is an overall increase when compared with  December 2016.

“This (last) quarter also saw a decline in property offences when compared to the previous quarter.

“However, when compared with the year ending December 2016, there was a 15 per cent increase in reported house break-ins,” Acting Commander Hill said.

Crime year on year (2016 against 2017)

In September, Katherine Police deployed a team of investigators to focus on property crime investigations and positive youth engagement in an effort to inhibit property crime.

A Northern Territory Police Force restructure in December saw part of Northern Command became Central Command.

The Command’s boundaries now include Borroloola, Ali Curung, Tennant Creek and Lajamanu to the south and from Timber Creek, Pine Creek, Bulman and Numbulwar as our northern boundary.

“Heavy rainfall across this Command has resulted in road closures and degradation of some roads,” acting Commander Hill said.

“This provides challenges for some communities and police where families may be isolated by flood waters.

“Police have been working with people in the region to build and enhance resilience to weather events which affect our daily lives.

“The community is urged to have their basic emergency kits ready and consider a family cyclone or flood action plan. More information can be found at www.securent.nt.gov.au.”

She said home security was a key feature of policing operations and the community can help by undertaking basic security measures, including locking doors at night or when homes are unattended.

“When parking your car in public places, lock your vehicle and do not leave valuables unattended.

“In Katherine, Operation Scapa was implemented late November with a focus on proactive initiatives to mitigate property crime over the school holiday period.

“This included the distribution of home and property security information through various networks and committees.

“Katherine residents going on holiday were provided with advice on the electronic message boards about how to register as an Absentee Owner with police.

Compared with the year ending December 2016, Tennant Creek’s property crime rate increased by 27 per cent (148 more offences).

The involvement of alcohol and domestic violence continue to be dominant factors in violent crime, police said.

NT Police place significant emphasis on domestic violence’s impact on the children of offenders and victims with a view to preventing repeat victimisation.

Police will continue to target the illegal transportation of alcohol into restricted areas, to actively target known and repeat property offenders and persons who commit a violent criminal act upon another.