November crime stats

The November rolling year crime statistics reveal reductions in each offence category as dedicated policing initiatives targeting offenders continue to impact their activities.

House break-ins have declined for the fifth successive period with a three per cent decline reported in the latest cycle from 5,838 offences to 5,671 offences. This followed a four per cent decrease in the October period and a five per cent drop in the September period.

Shop theft has declined by two per cent overall - from 17,960 offences to 17,645 offences - as dedicated policing initiatives such as Operation Measure continue to target recidivist thieves and reduce their offending.

The number of offences involving the receiving or handling the proceeds of crime increased as police continued to target recidivist offenders selling goods stolen from shops on online forums. An increase of 345 offences occurred during the period – from 1,872 offences to 2,217 offences – as more offenders were detected.

Car theft and theft from a vehicle have again recorded significant decreases. Car theft declined by seven per cent – from 3,838 offences to 3,563 offences. This follows an eight per cent decline in the October rolling year period and a 10 per cent decline in the September period.

Theft from a vehicle declined by 17 per cent – from 10,285 offences to 8,545 offences. This followed an identical decrease in the October and September rolling year periods.

The November rolling year crime statistics also reveal a significant decline in the number of robbery and related offences with a 26 per cent drop - 252 offences - reported.

Aggravated robbery offences dropped by 20 per cent or 103 offences - from 509 offences to 406 offences - and non-aggravated robbery by eight per cent or six offences - from 80 offences to 74 offences - while blackmail and extortion offences decreased by 37 per cent or 143 offences - from 385 offences to 242 offences.

The number of murders committed in the period also decreased sharply with a 45 per cent reduction - from 22 offences to 12 offences – reported.

Acting Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations) John De Candia said the reductions in offending were encouraging, but police were not complacent and pressure would be maintained on those committing offences.

“The sustained efforts of frontline officers are driving these reductions. This will continue,’’ he said.

While positive reductions in many offence categories were reported, others recorded minor increases. Serious assaults resulting in injury rose by three per cent in the period - from 3,675 offences to 3,781 offences - while common assault rose by six per cent - from 5,318 offences to 5,645 offences.

The number of family and domestic abuse related offences recorded also showed an increase of 13 per cent – from 11,890 offences to 13,437 offences.