❓ Mrs Roberts questions the Minister for Police about a recent spike in crime statistics, specifically burglaries and vehicle theft, and the effectiveness of Operation Sweep. The Minister responds by highlighting the success of Operation Sweep and emphasizing the overall downward trend in crime since the Liberal-National government came to power, while also pointing to increased police activity in drug-related charges.
AnsweredQoN 780Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CRIME STATISTICS — AUGUST
780. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the just-released crime statistics for August,
which show increases in multiple areas, including a 21 per cent jump in
burglaries and a 23 per cent increase in vehicle theft.
(1) Is this
not now a clear trend and proof that the 20 per cent increase in crime in July
is not just a one-off spike?
(2) Given that
Operation Sweep provided no additional resources to tackle this, what is the minister
doing to address this unprecedented increase in crime?
780. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the just-released crime statistics for August,
which show increases in multiple areas, including a 21 per cent jump in
burglaries and a 23 per cent increase in vehicle theft.
(1) Is this
not now a clear trend and proof that the 20 per cent increase in crime in July
is not just a one-off spike?
(2) Given that
Operation Sweep provided no additional resources to tackle this, what is the minister
doing to address this unprecedented increase in crime?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
It is true—there has been another spike in the August figures in a
number of areas that we measure police by in overall reported crime—but
I think that we should also have a look at what police are doing to respond to
this. Operation Sweep has been incredibly successful, with over 7 000 charges
now being laid against offenders in the Perth metropolitan area —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
Over 7 000 charges have been laid against offenders in the five to six weeks
since it has been in operation. Police are well resourced to respond to these
sorts of spikes in crime. I think we need to get this in context and look at
crime trends in general. When we look at the figures corrected for population
growth from 2007–08, when we came to government, to now, the figures
are very compelling to show that crime is on a downward trend, notwithstanding
that we have had some spikes in recent months. As an example, non-domestic
assault is down 34 per cent since 2007–08 when the opposition was in
control, and burglaries are down 16 per cent, trending down consistently since
we came to government. I expect that burglary figure will probably go down even
further now that we have the ''three strikes and you go to jail for two
months'' mandatory sentencing finally through both houses of Parliament,
after the filibustering of the opposition to try to avoid that legislation
going through.
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, I have been lenient with you, and we are only one minute
into question time. I call you to order for the first time.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
Non-dwelling burglaries, there were 619 of those per 100 000 when they were in
control, and 374 per 100 000 last financial year, down 40 per cent,
consistently trending down since the Liberal–National government came
to power; theft down 11 per cent; and property damage down 36 per cent when we
correct for population growth in Western Australia. But, on the other side of
the picture, let us have a look at those measures of crime that are a direct
result of police activity. From when they were in control to last year, there
had been a 41 per cent increase in drug possession charges levied against
offenders, an 18 per cent increase in drug trafficking charges, and a 40 per
cent increase in receiving drugs–illegal use of drugs. That is a
measure of police activity—actually rounding up offenders and charging
them with offences, taking them through the court system —
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, you should have been called three times already.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
Operation Sweep has been a tremendous success. I did speak to the figures with
respect to what police have been doing: 2 226 arrests as a result of this
response to the spike in crime in July, 2 268 summons issued, and 7 076
charges; and, for burglary, 169 arrests, 17 charges, 17 summons, and 240 charges.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The member for Girrawheen can say it is meaningless. That is
169 people arrested for burglary who will now go before the courts. Some of
those will likely be eligible for a ''three strikes, you're in''
sentencing result as a result of our legislation. Stolen motor vehicle: 97 arrests—97
offenders who will now go before the courts. Police are responding. Police have
the resources to respond. Our growth program is in train.
We will respond to this spike in crime, as police have been
doing, and we will see an overall downward trend consistent with what has
occurred since the Liberal–National government came to power.
It is true—there has been another spike in the August figures in a
number of areas that we measure police by in overall reported crime—but
I think that we should also have a look at what police are doing to respond to
this. Operation Sweep has been incredibly successful, with over 7 000 charges
now being laid against offenders in the Perth metropolitan area —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
Over 7 000 charges have been laid against offenders in the five to six weeks
since it has been in operation. Police are well resourced to respond to these
sorts of spikes in crime. I think we need to get this in context and look at
crime trends in general. When we look at the figures corrected for population
growth from 2007–08, when we came to government, to now, the figures
are very compelling to show that crime is on a downward trend, notwithstanding
that we have had some spikes in recent months. As an example, non-domestic
assault is down 34 per cent since 2007–08 when the opposition was in
control, and burglaries are down 16 per cent, trending down consistently since
we came to government. I expect that burglary figure will probably go down even
further now that we have the ''three strikes and you go to jail for two
months'' mandatory sentencing finally through both houses of Parliament,
after the filibustering of the opposition to try to avoid that legislation
going through.
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, I have been lenient with you, and we are only one minute
into question time. I call you to order for the first time.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
Non-dwelling burglaries, there were 619 of those per 100 000 when they were in
control, and 374 per 100 000 last financial year, down 40 per cent,
consistently trending down since the Liberal–National government came
to power; theft down 11 per cent; and property damage down 36 per cent when we
correct for population growth in Western Australia. But, on the other side of
the picture, let us have a look at those measures of crime that are a direct
result of police activity. From when they were in control to last year, there
had been a 41 per cent increase in drug possession charges levied against
offenders, an 18 per cent increase in drug trafficking charges, and a 40 per
cent increase in receiving drugs–illegal use of drugs. That is a
measure of police activity—actually rounding up offenders and charging
them with offences, taking them through the court system —
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, you should have been called three times already.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
Operation Sweep has been a tremendous success. I did speak to the figures with
respect to what police have been doing: 2 226 arrests as a result of this
response to the spike in crime in July, 2 268 summons issued, and 7 076
charges; and, for burglary, 169 arrests, 17 charges, 17 summons, and 240 charges.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : The member for Girrawheen can say it is meaningless. That is
169 people arrested for burglary who will now go before the courts. Some of
those will likely be eligible for a ''three strikes, you're in''
sentencing result as a result of our legislation. Stolen motor vehicle: 97 arrests—97
offenders who will now go before the courts. Police are responding. Police have
the resources to respond. Our growth program is in train.
We will respond to this spike in crime, as police have been
doing, and we will see an overall downward trend consistent with what has
occurred since the Liberal–National government came to power.
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