South Australian Crime Report Card 

On a rolling year basis, we aren’t doing as well as one might hope for. Overall we have had 11% more offences committed against persons but only 2% more offences against property with theft contributing the most, up by 1,864 more offences. Curiously, ‘General Expiation Offences’ (other theft) is up 31%.

Homicide and related offences is trending at 35% more than last year (19 offences), and Assaults appear to be up too – 7%. It all sounds like doom and gloom and you would be right to ask if there was any good news. Not so surprisingly, Serious Criminal Trespass or ‘Break and Enters’ as it was once called is down by -2% in residences and down -1% on non-residences. Could this be Neighbourhood Watch at work?

Whilst there was an unhealthy increase in blackmail and extortion (up 31%), aggravated and non-aggravated robbery dropped significantly (18% to 22%). This is a pleasing trend and good to know. Again I wonder if this can be related to the Neighbourhood Watch program. 

From what I can determine, it would pay to support your Neighbourhood Watch group. Make a point of showing up for their regular meetings. There is no charge and all are welcome. 

There is an old saying which I subscribe to: 

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!