South Australia Police say the “relentless” targeting of recidivist offenders has resulted in residential and non-residential break-ins declining significantly in the state over the past financial year.
Latest crime statistics also revealed robbery, theft and fraud related offences have continued to record notable decreases.
Acting Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations Service) John De Candia said proactive policing strategies had resulted in some significant clear-ups of recent crime sprees.
“In some cases the alleged offenders have been responsible for many incidents that have distressed homeowners or financially impacted multiple businesses that have been targeted,’’ he said.
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“We will continue to identify, target and arrest those we believe are responsible for a significant proportion of crime that impacts the community.’’
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In a significant breakthrough Eastern District CIB last month arrested a man, 42, and a woman, 30, both of Banksia Park, and charged them with multiple counts of serious criminal trespass in connection with break-ins at businesses in the Modbury shopping precinct.
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The businesses targeted included hardware, camping and outdoor stores, with entry gained through the roof. In five break-ins between March 30 and July 13 this year numerous items were stolen from each business.
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When detectives searched the Banksia Park home stolen goods worth almost $14,000 were located.
In an unrelated case a man, 35, of Goodwood was arrested last month and charged with 33 offences in connection with a crime series that occurred between April 10 and June 29 this year. The charges include serious criminal trespass, theft, illegal use of a motor vehicle, fuel theft, driving offences and drug offences.
The June rolling year figures show house break-ins recorded a 10% decline in the period – from 5,773 to 5,220 offences – or 553 fewer incidents reported. This followed a 10% decrease in the May period, 11% in April, 8% in March and 7% in February.
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Non-residential break-ins recorded a 7% decrease with 258 fewer offences reported – from 3,657 to 3,399. This followed a 9% drop in the May period, 7% in April and 5% reductions in March and February.
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Shop theft recorded another decrease in the June rolling year period with a 6% decline reported – 18,343 to 17,225 offences – which is attributed to ongoing proactive operations. It is the eighth successive decline in reported shoplifting offences.
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Car theft also continued to fall in the period with a 6% reduction reported – 3,681 to 3,469 offences. Theft from a vehicle recorded a 19% reduction – from 9,364 to 7,553 offences. Similar falls were reported in the previous four reporting periods.
Robbery and related offences recorded an 11% decline in offences reported in the period – 92 offences. Within that category aggravated robbery decreased by 14% – 492 offences to 421 offences.Â
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Acts intended to cause injury, which includes serious assault resulting in injury and common assault, increased by 3% in the rolling year period from 23,632 to 24,285 incidents reported.
