The number of house break-ins in South Australia has decreased by five per cent over the past year, the latest crime statistics have revealed.
The September rolling crime statistics reveal a decrease of 317 offences in the period with 5,602 offences, compared with 5,919 reported in the corresponding period. It is the third successive drop in reported offences.
While the number of residential break-ins has decreased significantly, police intelligence reveals residential properties continue to be the major targets of thieves targeting copper piping and wire with 674 reports between June and September.
The intelligence data reveals the majority of thefts are occurring at residential construction sites in the northern, western and southern suburbs. It is highly likely theft from these sites is under-reported by the industry.
Acting Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations) John DeCandia said it was clear the thefts were targeted and profit motivated.
"Unfortunately, in the majority of these thefts the value of the copper stolen is quite small compared to the considerable damage that is caused removing it and the subsequent repairs and clean-up required,'' he said.
"We work closely with the construction industry to try and minimise these incidents, but the individuals involved in this type of crime usually commit multiple offences.''
The September rolling year figures reveal shop theft continued to increase with 17,771 offences reported, compared with 17,326 in the previous period. While the overall figure increased by three per cent, this has slowed as police continue to target recidivist offenders.
Car theft and theft from a vehicle both continue to fall. The number of cars stolen in the period dropped by 378 – 10 per cent – from 3,903 to 3,525 incidents reported. Theft from a vehicle decrease by 1,735 offences – 17 per cent – from 10,475 offences to 8,740 offences.
The number of sexual offences reported to police dropped by five per cent in the period, from 2,508 offences to 2,389. Fraud and deception related offences continued to fall with 4,139 offences reported, compared with 5,425 in the corresponding period – a decrease of 1,286 offences.
