BURGLARY AND CAR THEFT REDUCED

The Attorney General Simon Corbell today tabled in the Legislative Assembly the fourth report card on the ACT Government's progress in reducing burglary and motor vehicle theft in the ACT.

"I'm very pleased to announce the success of the Government's strategy to reduce property crime over the last three years," Mr Corbell said.

"The ACT Labor Government has worked very hard to achieve these results, working with the community to implement crime prevention programs, expanding our engine immobiliser scheme, boosting ACT Policing ranks by 122 officers since 2001 and introducing a new rostering system to put more police on the beat when they are needed most."

In 2004, The ACT Labor Government set crime reduction targets for the next three years, aiming to reduce burglary rates by 10 per cent and motor vehicle theft rates by 25 per cent by December 2007 through its property crime reduction strategy, Building a Safer Community.

"The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that both burglary and motor vehicle theft offences have dropped markedly since 2003. Burglary figures show a reduction of 24 per cent, which is significantly better than the strategy's 2007 target of 10 per cent," Mr Corbell said.

"I am also pleased to announce that the rate of motor vehicle theft reduced by 36 per cent reduction, exceeding the strategy's 2007 target of 25 per cent.

"While there are clear indications that programs targeting ‘high-risk' young people and recidivist offenders and other initiatives, such as the expansion of the of car engine immobiliser program, have been effective during the life of the strategy, the rates of burglary and motor vehicle theft remain a challenge for criminal justice agencies and the ACT community.

"The ACT Labor Government has directed agencies to maintain the programs already established under the 2004-2007 ACT Property Crime Reduction Strategy.

"It is not just the reductions that indicate the success of this strategy. The strategy now provides a best practice model for cooperation and collaboration with relevant stakeholders working towards a common goal. If re-elected, the ACT Labor government will continue to work very hard to reduce property crime in the ACT."