South Australia home break-ins fall 8% in year to February as assaults on police rise

Residential break-ins in South Australia fell 8% in the rolling year to February, even as assaults on police officers rose sharply, according to the latest crime statistics. Police data show 5,480 residential break-ins were reported over the period, down from 5,959 — a reduction of 479 incidents.

Other offence categories, including robbery and theft, also recorded declines. Overall assaults increased by 1% — or 131 incidents — while reported assaults on police officers rose 19%, from 615 to 732. Acting Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Operations Service) David O'Donovan said the downward trend in break-ins was welcome but urged householders to remain vigilant.

“The proactive measures we are taking that include targeting recidivist offenders are continuing to have an impact in reducing the number of residential and non-residential break-ins,” he said.

“But there are too many incidents in which homeowners have been making it easier for thieves by leaving their premises unsecured, either by not locking doors or securing windows adequately.” Non-residential break-ins decreased by 95 incidents, from 3,488 to 3,393.

Police said the continuing decline reflects ongoing efforts to target repeat offenders. O'Donovan also urged motorists to take simple precautions to deter opportunistic thefts: “The same attention should be paid to vehicles, especially if they are parked on the street.

Simple actions such as not leaving valuable items in visible locations in a vehicle will considerably reduce the risk of having it broken into.” Within the broader theft category, total reports fell 5%, from 55,759 to 53,036. Motor vehicle theft and related offences rose 2%, from 14,482 to 14,795, while theft from retail premises dropped 10%, from 24,038 to 21,625.

Reports for receiving or handling the proceeds of crime increased 47%, from 2,243 to 3,287. In the homicide category, murders decreased from 11 to 10 reported incidents — a fall of 9%. Attempted murder edged up 5%, from 20 to 21, and manslaughter or driving causing death incidents rose 21%, from 19 to 23.

South Australia Police (SAPOL) noted that on 1 July it updated crime recording and reporting systems to align with an Australian Bureau of Statistics crime coding change, altering the presentation of published tables — including Person and Property offences — to ensure a nationally consistent approach.

The ABS counting rules themselves have not changed.