CRIME stats across the Chifley Police District released last month reveal major crime categories are either stable or falling, with one exception; sexual assaults.
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The figures, released by Bureau of Crime, Statistics and Research, compare the 12-months leading up to September 2020 with the previous 12 months, revealed sexual assaults had increased from 47 to 74.
But the city's Crime Manager, Chief Inspector Luke Rankin said this didn't necessarily reflect an increase in the number of sexual assaults that have occurred in the community - rather an increase in victims reporting matters to police.
He said victims have more confidence in reporting matters and are subsequently coming forward to police.
"They know they will be treated with dignity, and their complaint will be responded to professionally."
He said the latest stats also include historic child sexual assaults reported as an adult, now under investigation by detectives.
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"A proportion of these figures are historical matters, where victims have come forward years, even decades after incidents took place. Others matters reported reflect mandatory reporting requirements which exist in various entities in the community," he said.
And as part of his role as Crime Manager, Chief Inspector Rankin said he reviews all sexual assault matters and in all cases reported this year, the complainant and perpetrator were known to each other.
He also reviews all other major crime categories and said overall he is content with how the Chifley is placed.
Of the crime categories DV, assaults, indecent assault and robbery were either stable or falling.
Break and enter was up marginally, 234 in 2019 to 259 in 2020, as was motor vehicle theft which increased from 61 in 2019 to 78 in 2020.
Theft from motor vehicles and retail stores fell.
"Most of the crime categories are stable, though having said that we always have to be on our game," Chief Inspector Rankin said.
"Crime doesn't tick over, it occurs in spates, and one or two motivated offenders can commit a months worth of (property) crime in a day."
"We use our Crime Prevention Unit and ensure we are aware of those in our community who are a risk of offending, and then implement strategies to respond to these persons. Unfortunately we deal with the same problems again and again; recidivism is by far our biggest crime issue."
He said it's those recidivists, who represent a tiny proportion of the population, that are responsible for virtually all of the cities reported crime.