Today’s release of the Annual Corporate Performance Report 2014-15 demonstrates why we need more police officers on the front line, keeping our community safe.
A spike in opportunistic property crime, particularly in the State’s North, is concerning, and should remind us all to be more security-conscious.
I know Tasmania Police are working hard to proactively address this trend, and I am advised that a number of individuals have recently been arrested on multiple charges of burglary and theft, which is likely to have an impact on the figures.
The Crime Response Plan, recently developed specifically to target burglaries, uses crime prevention strategies including targeting repeat offenders and crime hot spots, and using social media to help identify persons of interest to police.
An example of a successful targeted policing activity was the recent late-night lockdown operation in Launceston, which netted strong results.
This Government is ensuring that Tasmania Police have the resources to do the job.
We are backing our police by recruiting an additional 108 officers over this term to reverse the cuts of the previous Labor-Green government.
The next recruit course will commence later this month.
More officers on our streets will help both to deter crime and to give Tasmania Police greater capabilities to respond to crime.
But police cannot do it alone and we urge the wider community to continue to help by proactively taking personal crime prevention measures.
Police tell me that they remain concerned that their year-long campaign telling people to lock up their houses and cars and secure their valuables still needs more support from the wider community.
I am urging Tasmanians to help where they can; be more vigilant and take more proactive measures where possible to reduce opportunities for criminals to prosper.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management
