The number of family and domestic abuse related offences reported to police has continued to increase at a significant rate in South Australia, the latest crime statistics have revealed.
The rolling year crime statistics to June show 12,844 offences were recorded – an increase of 16 per cent or 1,767 offences – over the corresponding period.
This increase followed a 15 per cent increase in the May 2023 to May 2024 rolling year figures and a 13 per cent rise in the April 2023 to April 2024 figures.
The increases come amid campaigns to encourage victims to report abuse, debate surrounding the Royal Commission into domestic, sexual and family violence in South Australia and new initiatives by the state government and police to assist and support victims to encourage them to come forward.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the challenge for police was that domestic violence has always been within the community, but it has historically been something occurring behind closed doors.
"There is now much greater level of awareness and far less tolerance within the community and we are providing greater access to people experiencing family violence to enable them come forward and make a report,'' he said.
"While we are expecting to see more people reporting, it still doesn't give us a true insight as to the full extent of just how pervasive family violence is.
"I am hopeful the Royal Commission will provide some genuine insights in relation to reforms that may not just improve situations for individuals experiencing family violence, but also enhance our ability to prevent it.''
Police last month conducted a major statewide anti-domestic violence operation that resulted in 80 arrests for a variety of offences. Operation Storm targeted domestic violence offenders using an intelligence-led, proactive approach that also involved referring offenders to behaviour change programs.
The June rolling year figures also reveal an intense crackdown on repeat offenders has helped stem the ongoing increase in shop theft in South Australia.
While 18,358 offences were reported – an increase of 2,096 offences over the corresponding period - the 13 per cent increase is the lowest monthly increase reported for more than a year and the fourth successive decrease over the rolling year periods.
In May the rolling year increase was 15 per cent, in April it was 23 per cent, in March 29 per cent and in February 31 per cent.
Mr Stevens said while the overall figure was still high, it was encouraging to see the significant increases recorded over the past year starting to decline.
"The initiatives we have introduced are starting to have an impact on the prevalence of shop theft, but there is still considerable work to do to rein it in even further,'' Mr Stevens said.
"We are targeting recidivist offenders and they are being put before the courts and we are continuing to work closely with retailers to reduce opportunities for their illegal activities.''
Operation Measure, a major initiative targeting shop thieves, examined more than 16,000 shop theft incidents over the rolling year period. Of those, 1,554 were linked to nominated persons of interest and there were 673 apprehensions – arrests or reports - as a result.
Major shopping centres located across the metropolitan area consistently record the highest number of offences behind Rundle Mall. Other locations also recording higher rates of offending include service stations, liquor retailers and hardware stores across the metropolitan area.
The increase offences for receiving or handling the proceeds of crime - 31 per cent – can be attributed to the targeting of offenders selling stolen goods on either through online platforms or second-hand dealers.
The latest crime statistics reveal 8,207 petrol theft incidents assessed as meeting the criteria for investigation – a decrease of 0.4 per cent or 34 incidents – compared with the 8,241 incidents in the previous rolling year period.
Adelaide's northern districts remain the top locations for petrol theft with the highest number recorded in Smithfield, Hillbank, Bolivar, Gepps Cross, Salisbury Downs and Virginia.
The investigation of petrol theft continues to have an impact on competing police resources, preventing their use in proactive operations that contribute to community safety.
The rolling year figures also reveal sexual assault and related offences have continued to decrease with a six per cent fall recorded. Aggravated sexual assault fell by four per cent while non-assaultive sexual offences fell by 24 per cent.
While robbery and related offending decreased by 18 per cent over the rolling year period, acts intended to cause injury increased by 10 per cent. Serious assault resulting in injury and common assault both increased by seven per cent while the number of assault police incidents rose by 22 per cent.
Theft from motor vehicles continued to decrease with a drop of 11 per cent to 9,356 incidents reported, while car theft also declined by three per cent to 3,733 incidents reported in the rolling year period.
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