SIMON Corbell says Canberra has experienced significant reductions in burglary crime and motor vehicle theft according to the progress report on the second year of the ACT Property Crime Reduction Strategy 2012-15, tabled in the Legislative Assembly today.

The whole-of-government property crime reduction strategy has two key targets – to reduce, from 2010 levels, burglary crime by a further 10% and motor vehicle theft by a further 20% by 31 December 2015.

“I am pleased to confirm today that we have not only met, but exceeded these targets,” Simon said.

In 2013 there were 2069 victims of burglary, compared 4240 to the 2010 baseline year. This translates to a significant decrease of 51.2 per cent. Similarly, victims of motor vehicle theft have decreased from 1,331 victims in 2010 to 675 in 2013 – a decrease of 49.3 per cent.

“These results demonstrate the whole-of-government effort that has been invested to reduce property crime and increase community safety in the ACT.”

The report also outlines progress against the strategy’s 68 item action plan. The action plan links core crime reduction and prevention measures to three objectives: stopping the cycle of offending, engaging the disengaged and creating a safer, more secure community.

“All but one of the strategy’s 68 action items have progressed in the 2013?14 financial year, with eight tasks already successfully completed,” Mr Corbell said.

“The progress report provides clear evidence of this government’s strong commitment to reducing property crime in the Canberra community.”

One does, however, have to wonder how our reduction goes compared to the global trends in property crime reduction.

[Photo by JD Hancock, attribution licence]