First quarter crime statistics show drop in armed robbery, shop burglary offences
The ACT Policing crime statistics for the first quarter of 2024 have shown a significant drop in some robbery and burglary offences.
Across the first quarter of 2024 (January-March), instances of armed robbery fell 32 per cent when compared with the previous quarter, with no armed robberies seen in either the Belconnen or Woden patrol zones in this period.
January-March 2024 also saw a 26 per cent drop in shop burglaries across the territory, with a 73 per cent reduction in the Gungahlin patrol zone (three offences compared to 11) and a 79 per cent drop in Woden zone (three offences compared to 14).
However, unfortunately certain crime types saw an increase in early 2024.
Reported instances of motor vehicle theft increased 27 per cent when compared with the final quarter of 2023 (304 offences compared to 240), as did instances of unarmed robbery (28 offences compared to 22).
Domestic burglaries also saw a 14 per cent increase – 246 offences, up from 215 in the final quarter of 2023, with the largest increases seen in the *inner north (57 offences, up from 39), and the Molonglo region (17 offences, up from four).
ACT Policing Superintendent Rich Breiner said that while it was encouraging to see a drop in certain offences, there are steps members of the community can take to make them a less attractive target to criminals.
“Property crime is often opportunistic in nature, and there are many things we can do to protect ourselves against theft and crime at home, at work and when travelling around town,” Superintendent Breiner said.
“Burglars usually take advantage of doors that are unlocked or windows that have been left open so they can grab what they can and make a quick getaway. However, if a burglar can’t see an easy way in, they often won’t try.
“Our advice is to lock your doors and windows, don’t leave your keys or wallet near the door or where burglars can easily access them, keep valuables secured and away from plain sight, and keep vehicles locked even when garaged.
“It is very difficult to steal many modern vehicles without the keys, so make sure they are kept somewhere safe, as well as ensuring valuables such as phones, handbags, laptops, even registration papers and spare keys aren’t left visible.”
*Inner north includes the suburbs of Acton, Ainslie, Black Mountain, Braddon, Campbell, City, Dickson, Downer, Duntroon, Hackett, Lyneham, Majura, O’Connor, Parkes, Reid, Russell, Turner, and Watson.
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