Page 697 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 12 April 1994

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO 1182

Schools - Burglaries

MR CORNWELL: asked the Attorney-General -

(1) How many incidents of break-ins to ACT schools were recorded in the recent 1993-94 Christmas/New Year school holiday period.

(2) Has any assessment of damage been made and; if so, what is the approximate total value.

MR CONNOLLY: The answer to Mr Cornwells question is as follows:

NOTE: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Information and Statistical Services

Branch has provided figures, as at 1 March 1994, pertaining to burglary

offences committed at ACT schools which were reported to police between

18 December 1993 and 30 January 1994.

Property damage not associated with a burglary (i.e. where a point of entry

has not been identified but criminal damage occurred) and its subsequent

value, have not been included in this response.

Offence statistics are drawn from criminal offence reports submitted by

investigating members who nominate the offences that have, prima facie,

been committed.

In addition, it needs to be recognised that the alleged offences may not

necessarily have occurred during the period specified. It may not be readily

apparent that an offence has been committed and consequently it may go

undetected for some time before being reported.

(1) There is no offence of break-in under the Crimes Act 1900. However,

section 102(1) of the Crimes Act 1900, which relates to the offence of

burglary, states:

A person who enters or remains in any building as a trespasser with intent -

(a) to steal anything in the building; or

(b) to commit an offence involving an assault on a person in the

building or involving any damage to the building or to property in

the building, being an offence punishable by imprisonment for 5

years or more,

is guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by imprisonment for 14 years.

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