By Raquel Mustillo
CRIME is on the decline across most townships within the Limestone Coast, with property and trespass-related crimes drastically declining across a number of Limestone Coast areas over the last five years.
Despite the fall in general crime, serious assaults and illegal use of a motor vehicle figures have increased by more than 50pc in some areas.
An analysis conducted by The Border Watch has found a steady crime decline in Mount Gambier over the last five years, from 1226 reported offences in 2015/16 to 1072 reported offences in 2019/20 – marking a 12.5pc decrease.
Serious criminal trespass offences have fallen by more than 37pc in Mount Gambier and theft-related offences – including theft from shops and “other” – has also decreased.
While basic assault reports have decreased by 45pc, serious assault numbers are up by 56pc in Mount Gambier, with 172 offences reported in 2019/20.
However, theft from a motor vehicle has increased by 11pc and the illegal use of a motor vehicle – which includes driving, using or interfering with a car without obtaining the consent of the owner – has increased by 54pc.
Crime has fallen in Millicent by 8.7pc over the same period, with 198 offences ranging from assault, theft, serious criminal trespass, property damage and the illegal use of a motor vehicle in 2019/20 compared to 217 offences in 2015/16.
Bordertown’s crime rates have fallen by 13pc over the last five years, while Kingston recording the largest decrease – 51pc – with just 38 reported offences in 2019/20. Naracoorte crime numbers have jumped by 32pc, with a majority of the 215 offences reported in 2019/20 relating to property damage (113).
Comparatively, 65 property damage-related offences were reported in Naracoorte in 2015/16.
Other theft-related offences has increased by 48pc over the last five years in Naracoorte, serious criminal trespass is up 16pc and serious assault reports have risen by 51pc.
Crime has also significantly increased in some rural areas, jumping more than 36pc in Moorak and 75pc in Worrolong.
In 2015/16, six offences were reported in Worrolong compared to 24 offences ranging from property damage, theft and assault in 2019/20.
Limestone Coast police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff told The Border Watch the Limestone Coast Local Service Area has one of the lowest rates of crime per capita in South Australia, but said the low rates of crime can result in a disproportionate perception of crime due to the relatively low numbers involved.
“Every day we review reported crime data with other available intelligence to determine what strategy we will employ to prevent crime and maximise the use of our local police,” he said.
“Major drivers for us include road safety, persons causing alarm in the community because of deteriorating mental health, property damage, theft, assaults – generally within the home or a familial setting as a result of family violence.
“The reasons for changes in crime rates can vary, but generally, the vast majority of crime is committed by a handful of people.
“Many of that small cohort of criminal offenders are largely transient and move from place to place around the Local Service Area, often occurrences in crime marries with their movement.”
Supt Hoff said police had sought to encourage people to report crime, particularly instances of family violence to allow authorities to help in intervention opportunities.
“Increased reporting is therefore not necessarily a sign of increased crime rates and on occasions reflect the confidence of the community to report,” he said.
“We continue to encourage our community to report suspicious behaviour so that we have an opportunity to investigate and prevent crime before it occurs.
“Sometimes information about suspicious behaviour is the last piece to the jigsaw puzzle to help us investigate crime and apprehend those responsible.”
Supt Hoff’s comments follow a report released by Crime Stoppers SA, which revealed a record number of calls to Crime Stoppers – 20,240 – answered in 2020. Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services Minister Vincent Tarzia said the record number of calls to Crime Stoppers demonstrated that South Australians are vigilant and protective of their community.
“We are the first South Australian Government to directly fund Crime Stoppers with more than $800,000,” he said.
“South Australians deserve to feel safe and Crime Stoppers is one way we can protect the community at a grassroots level.”
Falling crime rates in Millicent and Bordertown has prompted the state’s Court Authority to scale back Magistrate Court circuits at both locations and increase the frequency of sitting dates in Naracoorte.
Millicent circuits will sit every two months, Bordertown will sit every three months and Naracoorte circuit will increase to two times a month.
A Magistrates Court spokesperson said a review had been undertaken last year to ensure the efficiency of court operations.
“The Magistrates Court regularly reviews the workload of the region as a whole to ensure the best use of court resources in relation to circuit locations and frequency,” the spokesperson said.
“The number of cases in Bordertown has fallen, fewer sittings are required at Millicent and the need for further sitting time in Naracoorte has become evident.
“The circuit dates in Naracoorte were increased which also has the effect of absorbing any cases that might not be accommodated in the reduced circuits in Millicent and Bordertown.
“A review of all circuit locations will take place periodically to monitor how the changes have affected numbers.”
Individuals with information about criminals or criminal activity are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperssa.com.au.
Contact Triple Zero (000) for emergencies and 131 444 for police assistance.
