Tasmania’s crime rate has dropped, with clearance rates for total offences exceeding 50 per cent for the first time in over 45 years.

The Crime Statistics Supplement 2017-18 released today shows that total offences reduced by 5 per cent (1265 offences) to 26,174 offences in 2017-18.

Offences in 2017-18 were below the previous three year average (26,720) and the clearance rate for total offences exceeded 50 per cent for the first time in over 45 years of recorded crime statistics.

Stolen motor vehicle offences fell by 21 per cent in 2017-18 (278 offences), and were significantly below the previous three year average (1259). Sexual assaults also reduced by 26 per cent (65 offences) from 249 in 2016-17 to 184 in 2017-18.

Long term upward trends in assault (7 per cent increase with 198 offences), offences against the person (6 per cent increase with 4574 offences), and fraud (2 per cent increase with 14 offences) continued in 2017-18.

“Tasmania is a safe place. We have one of the lowest crime rates in the country,” Assistant Commissioner Glenn Frame said.

“Crime rates do fluctuate due to criminal group trends and the activities of a small number of high volume offenders, but what’s important to remember is that the overall crime rate over the past 18 years has decreased significantly.”

Tasmania will continue to focus on tackling crime with its statewide Crime Response Plan.

Across Districts Tasmania Police is implementing:

• Strategies which target the small number of repeat offenders who are responsible for multiple offences and have a significant impact on the community.
• High visibility and covert patrols to lock down and saturate suburbs where burglaries and motor vehicle theft has increased.
• Collaborative engagement with local government and business on safety and security messaging.
• Community security messaging via social media, and mail-outs of security advice.

“Tasmania Police is a key stakeholder in making the community safe and reducing crime, and we’ll continue to work proactively to tackle crime in our community,” Assistant Commissioner Frame said.