The targeting of recidivist offenders and those selling stolen goods has continued to slow the increase of reported shop theft in South Australia.
The October rolling year crime statistics reveal shop theft increased by just one per cent in the period as dedicated policing initiatives such as Operation Measure continue to place pressure on thieves and reduce the rate of offending.
The increase – from 17,586 to 17,801 offences - is the smallest recorded in the last 12 reporting periods.
Besides the successful operational initiatives, police actively access an intelligence platform jointly used by retailers, shopping centre operators and petrol stations to share information and identify recidivist offenders.
Police intelligence reveals over an almost six-month period to the end of November, 993 shop theft incidents were linked to a nominated person of interest. In that period there were 477 arrests or reports linked to them.
Subsequent investigations reveal a significant number of those charged are actively selling stolen goods on social media sites and often stealing goods to order.
In one case involving a recidivist offender police seized more than $20,000 in property at a Tranmere house after discovering the female occupant was selling stolen goods on social media platforms.
Police located approximately 400 items of clothing, ranging in price from $50 to $500, believed to have been stolen. Another 20 Lego items, worth between $100 and $300 each, were also found.
Police suspect the woman, who has been charged with unlawful possession, was a participant in a major shop lifting operation with investigations continuing to identify other offenders and the origins of the stolen property.
Acting Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations) John de Candia said significant resources were committed to disrupting the activities of recidivist offenders and those who were involved in selling stolen goods.
"Those involved in selling the stolen goods are also a focus of Operation Measure, not just the shoplifters themselves,'' he said.
"Anyone selling stolen goods on a social media platform should expect scrutiny from police. Their next customer may have handcuffs in their back pocket instead of a wallet.''
The October rolling crime statistics also reveal the number of house break-ins in South Australia has continued to decline with a four per cent decrease – from 5,873 offences to 5,623 offences - reported in the period. This decrease is the fourth successive drop in reported offences.
The latest statistics reveal another significant decline in car theft and theft from a vehicle. Car theft declined by 8 per cent in the latest period with 3,562 reported incidents compared with 3,858 in the corresponding period. This followed a 10 per cent decrease in the September period.
Theft from vehicles declined by 17 per cent – from 10,403 offences to 8,643 offences. This followed an identical decrease in the previous period.
Robbery and related offences also continued to decline in the October reporting period with a decline of 26 per cent reported. Aggravated robbery dropped by 15 per cent – from 504 offences to 429 offences – while non-aggravated robbery increased by four offences from 74 incidents to 78 reported incidents.
Serious assault resulting in injury recorded a four per cent increase while sexual assault and related offences declined by five per cent - from 2,515 offences to 2,395 offences.
