Fifty-one per cent of Canberrans report crime is a growing problem. Photo: ACT Policing.
Half of Canberrans now believe crime is a growing problem, despite statistics showing fewer people being charged by police.
Fresh figures from Roy Morgan reveal 51 per cent of ACT residents think crime is increasing, up from 27 per cent before the pandemic and 34 per cent a decade ago.
Nationally, two-thirds of Australians (66%) share that concern – the highest level in 20 years.
The ACT has historically recorded the lowest level of worry, but the shift is among the sharpest in the country, from 34 per cent in 2015–16 to 51 per cent in 2024–25.
Is the government too ‘soft’ on crime?
The Canberra Liberals seized on the survey, accusing the ACT Government of prioritising offenders over victims.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe, but this data shows the majority of Canberrans do not,” Shadow Police Minister Deborah Morris said.
“For years, the ACT Government has driven a permissive legislative environment that has threatened community safety and left victims worse off.”
She cited outlaw motorcycle gangs labelling Canberra a “safe haven” and called for tougher bail laws, anti-consorting legislation and more support for police.
“The only people who seem to be safe in Canberra are the criminals,” she said.
What do police say about it?
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) agreed, saying frustration was fuelled by weak bail laws and repeat offending.
“This data doesn’t happen by accident. People are seeing more crime in their suburbs, and they don’t believe the system is protecting them,” AFPA president Alex Caruana said.
He said officers were under strain, with Triple-Zero calls up 15 per cent in five years to more than 3100 a month.
“Policing in Canberra is more dangerous and complex than ever before. Criminals are committing more sophisticated crimes, which require time, resources and experience to investigate. The Roy Morgan data is a wake-up call,” Mr Caruana said.
Data from Roy Morgan showing the growth in concern about crime. Photo: Roy Morgan.
And the stats?
Australian Bureau of Statistics data tells a complicated story.
The ACT recorded 2543 offenders proceeded against by police in 2023-24, a 2 per cent drop from the year before. The most common offence was acts intended to cause injury, with 919 offenders – 36 per cent of all charges.
Ten years ago, in 2014-15, there were 2665 recorded offenders. The most common offence was public order offences, at 24 per cent, while acts intended to cause injury made up 20 per cent.
So, while crime overall is down, violent crime is up (16 per cent) over the past decade.
Nationally, the ABS reported the lowest number of offenders since records began in 2008-09. Assault and other violence-related offences have also risen 6 per cent.
Wait. So, what’s going on?
Australian Catholic University senior criminologist Dr Matthew Morgan said the figures highlight a gap between perception and reality.
“Crime rates in general have been decreasing since the 90s,” he told Region.
“The only crime we know is officially on the rise is domestic and family violence, which is likely due to an increase in reporting.”
He said political and media rhetoric played a major role in fuelling fear, a trend dating back to the Clinton era’s 1994 Crime Bill in the US.
“This phenomenon spread to most wealthy Anglophone countries, including Australia, as politicians realised the fear of crime could be weaponised as a vote winner,” Dr Morgan said.
He added that crime statistics are also used selectively by police agencies to push for more funding and resources.
But official numbers also only show part of the picture.
“Many crimes fly under the radar and are not reported or recorded – we call this the ‘dark figure of crime’,” he said.
“We only have a small snapshot of what is happening in the community.”
The ACT Government is sending $112 million ACT Policing’s way over the next four years. Photo: Albert McKnight.
What’s the government doing about all this?
ACT Police Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said concerns were sometimes heightened by political rhetoric but stressed the government took them seriously.
“While data shows crime rates in the ACT are decreasing, we take every feeling of insecurity seriously and are committed to listening carefully and responding thoughtfully,” she said.
The latest ACT Budget includes $112 million over four years to fund the new Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement, boosting salaries, leave and allowances for ACT Policing staff.
The government has also run consultations on bail law reform and plans to introduce amendments to the Bail Act 1992 “as soon as practicable”.
“We are actively investing in our police force by increasing personnel and planning long-term improvements to policing infrastructure,” Dr Paterson said.
“We are also committed to strengthening our justice and bail systems to better serve the community.”
