Crime is continuing to trend down across South Australia, with the latest rolling SA Police data showing overall offences have fallen by 3 per cent.
The new figures mark the 17th consecutive reporting period to show a downward trend, with property-related offences again leading the drop. According to the February stats, property crime fell by 4 per cent, or 3,989 offences, with decreases recorded across most offence categories.
Robbery offences were down 13 per cent, falling from 748 to 654, while overall theft dropped by 5 per cent, or 2,723 offences. Theft from retail premises also recorded a notable decline, down 10 per cent, or 2,413 offences.
The State Government says the continued reduction reflects a mix of legislative reform, targeted policing and increased police recruitment.
Among the measures highlighted is stronger protection for retail and fast-food workers, with penalties of up to seven years’ jail for assaulting workers now in effect. The Government has also pointed to its knife law reforms, including new powers allowing police to declare shopping centres a designated place for metal detector searches. That power is now in place across 16 shopping centres in South Australia.
The release also links the fall in property-related crime to police targeting repeat offenders. South Australia’s recidivism rate has fallen to 36.8 per cent, well below the national average of 53.6 per cent, according to the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services.
Police staffing is also being held up as part of the picture, with South Australia now sitting second in the nation for operational staff per 100,000 people. SAPOL has 295 operational sworn staff per 100,000 people, above the national average of 264.
That comes as applications to join SA Police hit record levels, with 3,050 applicants from across Australia and overseas, compared with fewer than 1,000 in 2018-19.
Minister for Police Michael Brown said, “I’m glad to see the continued reduction in crime across South Australia.”
“The Malinauskas Government has acted consistently to reduce crime including improving retail safety with stronger penalties of up to 7 years in jail for assaulting retail workers.”
“We have also given police the power to make shopping centres a declared place and it’s great to see that is having an impact.”
“SAPOL do a fantastic job and their targeting of recidivist offenders continues to improve safety in our community.”
“There is more work to do, which is why we are increasing the number of police and police security officers and investing in crime prevention programs, better police facilities and modernised equipment.”
