Northern Territory Police are continuing to step up the number of patrols conducted around Alice Springs – and will increase their community safety and engagement activities during the school holidays – reinforcing community safety and crime prevention.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Fuller said that the number of proactive policing patrols had increased from 13,311 to more than 20,000 over the past 12 months – an increase of more than 50 per cent, or some 56 proactive patrols every day.
“We traditionally see a spike in property crime during school holiday periods and we have actively been taking steps to minimise these incidents,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Fuller said.
Recently, the southern region received an additional mobile closed circuit television (CCTV) unit. This has been deployed in hotspot locations to provide additional safety to residents, and deter and detect antisocial behaviour.
This mobile CCTV relays images in real time to the Northern Territory Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre in Darwin, where operators are able to monitor activity and alert local police to any suspicious or antisocial behaviour.
Since the start of May 2017 Strike Force Winx has arrested 47 youths and laid 226 charges. In the two-week period alone from 7 to 21 June 2017 Strike Force Winx officers arrested 31 offenders, who were charged with unlawful entry and other property offences.
“Most property crimes are opportunistic – car and houses left unlocked make it easy for someone to enter your property. The ‘lock it or lose it’ message is making a difference and overall, residential break-ins have tracked down according to the most recent crime figures, but even one break-in is one too many,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Fuller said.
Alice Springs Police have 25 members dedicated this week to policing youth activities and events, with a further dedicated operation established to police the Alice Springs Show.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Fuller said police continue to patrol known youth hotspots in town, and will maintain high visibility throughout the school holidays.
Road safety will also continue to be a priority with officers actively policing roads in Alice Springs and around the bush as many people undertake long drives into town these school holidays. Speeding, driver fatigue, alcohol and drug driving, and vehicle safety are all being targeted.
“We are expecting large crowds in Alice Springs this weekend for the show. If you are driving in with your family, please leave enough time to arrive safely. Make sure you secure your vehicles before leaving the car park, keep any valuables out of sight, or even better don’t leave anything of value in your car at all,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Fuller said.
A comprehensive calendar of youth activities in Alice Springs these school holidays is available at http://www.youth.nt.gov.au/calendar.html. There are activities for all ages and interests, including sports, arts cooking and entertainment activities.