PROPERTY crime is down across the region in the latest round of crime figures but police have warned residents not to be complacent with thieves still on the move.
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Oxley Chief Inspector Phil O’Reilly said there had been a spike in break-ins last month, despite the latest round of numbers from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) showing a downward turn in most property offences.
In the Tamworth area, break-ins to businesses dropped by 66 incidents in the 12 months to September, with thieves hitting 92 shops in 2016.
In the same period, break-ins to homes fell by 500 incidents to 452 in Tamworth, while car thefts also decreased.
“We have observed some reductions in property-related crime, however, the community should not be complacent as we have experienced an increase in reported break-and-enters in November, particularly in Tamworth,” Chief Inspector O’Reilly said.
Gunnedah also saw a marked downturn in property crime with incident rates drastically dropping in break-ins to homes from 117, last year, to 78 in the 12 months to this year.
Fraud also halved, and only 50 cars were broken into compared with 144 in the 12 months to September, 2015.
“Those reductions come from collaboration with the community and police and local government through the crime prevention committees,” Chief Inspector O’Reilly said.
However, the community should not be complacent.
- Chief Inspector Phil O'Reilly
“However, we don't want people to take the foot off the pedal. We ask the community to continue to support any suspicious activity when it is occurring so we're in a better position to respond, and be mindful about home and vehicle security.”
In comparison, the Armidale area saw a massive fall in break-and-enters to home with 182 less incidents reported in the 12 months to September, this year, compared with 445 incidents in 2015.
Break-ins to businesses jumped in the same period by 50 reports, while stealings from cars rose by 138 incidents.
Stealings from people almost doubled, so too fraud, while malicious damage also jumped from 374 to 541.
In the Moree Plains area, break-ins to homes fell by 50 incidents to 237 reports, while stealings from cars, persons and stores also dropped.