Published September 2024
SAPOL crime statistics indicate significant spikes in crime in Police Minister Dan Cregan’s Mount Barker based electorate since his appointment.
Crime was up over 50% in the Minister’s electorate in the first two months of his appointment to the Labor Cabinet when compared to the previous two months.
The statistics reveal concerning increases in serious criminal trespass (up 127% in the Minister’s electorate) and theft (up 102% in the Minister’s electorate).
Shoplifting has exploded – with 32 instances in the Minister’s electorate in his first two months as Police Minister compared with 11 instances in the two months prior.
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Corrections, Jack Batty, said it was an alarming report card for the new Minister.
“This is just another example of the crime wave taking place right across South Australia,” Mr Batty said.
“Crime is skyrocketing under Labor – including in the new Minister’s backyard. What is his plan to tackle the crime crisis that we see right across the State?
“South Australians deserve to feel safe – and law and order should be core business for any Government. It is critical that Peter Malinauskas and Dan Cregan take action to boost police and keep the community safe.
“Crime will keep rising unless we better recruit, retain and resource our police officers. We need more police on the beat to keep the community safe.
“We know that SAPOL is under-resourced – with a shortfall of nearly 200 police officers and large numbers of police leaving the force.
“The Minister needs to take urgent action to ensure we’ve got enough frontline officers keeping South Australians safe in Mount Barker and beyond.
