Officers from Strike Force Trident have made several arrests in relation to recent property crime in Darwin.
Since 4 February, the Darwin city area had eleven break-ins where liquor was targeted. Eight of those break-ins resulted in thirteen arrests with two people issued with notices to appear. Five separate businesses were targeted in these incidents with two of those businesses targeted multiple times.
Senior Sergeant Rob Jordan said the arrests are due to quick responses by general duties officers and thorough investigations by Strike Force Trident officers.
“Police will continue to apprehend those responsible for property offending, but we cannot do that without public assistance,” Snr Sgt Jordan said.
“We encourage the public to be vigilant of suspicious behaviour and to report it to police immediately.”
Police reiterate that there are options for business owners to reinforce security at their premises, such as applying for NT Government grants, Biz Secure and Alcohol Secure.
Those in residential areas are encouraged to have appropriate security measures in place to deter potential property crime.
The security measures include:
- Remember to lock your doors and windows ‑ even when you’re at home
- Use keys to lock your screen doors ‑ ‘flicking the switch’ still makes your property easily accessible for offenders
- Hide your keys, wallet and phone ‑ don’t leave them in an obvious place
- Always lock your vehicle and ensure valuable items are not left within view
- Close your curtains when you’re not home ‑ why risk tempting an opportunistic thief?
- If you’re going away, get a friend or neighbour to check on your property
Senior Sergeant Rob Jordan also said the number of vehicle thefts has lowered in the Darwin region when compared to previous years.
“With the assistance of the public, who are often the best resource that police have, we have found that stolen vehicles are also being recovered much faster.
“The images of stolen vehicles that the public see are often sourced from Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology which is fitted to some police vehicles. This is one of many initiatives implemented to assist police in combatting property crime.”
Another initiative that has been implemented Territory-wide is an automated telephone message that all service stations in Darwin receive, advising staff that a car has been stolen and to be on the lookout for it in the event they try and steal fuel. This is also followed up with email notification.
Anyone with information on suspected property crime is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
