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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-11 Daily Xml
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POLICE NUMBERS, CRIME STATISTICS

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Police. Can the minister advise the house if the government's tough stance on crime and the recruitment of more than 443 extra full-time equivalent police officers since 2002 is having an effect on detecting and deterring crime?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:11): I can announce that SAPOL's new statistics show that police, through proactive policing, are uncovering more public order offences such as drink driving, offensive and disorderly behaviour, loitering and drug offences. The detection of public order offences, through proactive policing, is extremely important as it can prevent the escalation of relatively low level offences to more violent and serious crimes. Unlike offences against the person and property, public order offences rarely have an identified victim; rather, detection relies almost entirely on police acting on their own initiative.

I am advised that, since coming to government in 2002, the biggest increases have been in the areas of: disorderly or offensive behaviour, with a detection rate increase of 26.5 per cent; drink driving, with a 56.6 per cent increase in detection; and other offences such as trespass, prostitution and loitering, of which police have increased detection by approximately 27 per cent.

We as a government are extremely proud of these figures. They are a clear indication that the additional resources we have provided are enabling police to hold to account those who commit such offences. We have taken the hard line on drug drivers, drunk drivers, hoon drivers and those who drive at excessive speeds or just plain irresponsibly. We have implemented changes to ensure immediate loss of licence for driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more. This has acted as a significant deterrent, yet still some people continue to drink and drive. The police have done an exceptional job of targeting these people. Last year, SAPOL conducted 39,000 more random breath tests than in 2006-07 and, as police conduct more breath tests, more drink drivers are detected.

It is clear the Rann government's commitment to increased police numbers is paying dividends. More police, more police stations, better resources, modern policing practices and tougher laws are making South Australia a safer place to live and raise a family. The year 2007-08 also brought a significant fall in overall victim-reported crime. The statistics show overall victim-reported crime in South Australia fell by 8 per cent. This follows falls of 7.2 per cent in 2003-04, 6.6 per cent in 2004-05 and 5.8 per cent in 2005-06. This represents over 55,000, or 26.8 per cent, fewer offences in South Australia since 2001-02.

South Australians can feel much safer than they did six years ago because they are less likely to become a victim. There are more police on the beat in South Australia than ever before, and we will keep recruiting so that by mid-2010 there will be 700 more police than in March 2002. The latest SAPOL data shows how far we have come since the days of the former Liberal government. In 1997 I am advised that the Liberals allowed police numbers to fall to an appalling low of 3,410. Crime rose by a staggering 31 per cent, the incidence of murder, serious assault and minor assault went up, and there were more burglaries. Theft from motor vehicles rose by an amazing 95.6 per cent.

The Liberal opposition simply has no credibility on law and order. It cut police numbers, shut stations and drove crime rates up during its term in office. The Rann Labor government will continue to work to make South Australia an even safer community.

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