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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 2136 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

household. That works out at a saving of something like $100,000 a week. I think that there are a few ex-police ministers in this place, too.

The team is targeting car stealing and has succeeded in reducing motor vehicle thefts by 7 per cent-from 47 a week to 44. If the police maintain or improve on that work through to October of this year, they will have delivered a potential saving of at least $1 million to the community, or about $6,000 to the potential victim.

By using intelligence-led policing, the police have significantly disrupted the stolen property market and drug trade in the ACT. That style of policing concentrates on targeting offenders, especially active criminals, and investigating linked crimes and incidents. The criminal becomes the focal point of the investigation, not the crime.

Intelligence-led policing strives for greater efficiency and helps keep public confidence in the police at high levels. For example, since Operation Halite began, police have taken 153 people before the court for 602 offences. In May alone, the team took 32 people to court, charged with 137 offences. They were mainly property related-burglary and theft.

Intelligence gathered through Operation Halite confirmed what the police already knew, which was that a small number of recidivist offenders are responsible for a large number of the burglaries committed in Canberra. Operation Halite is a long-term initiative and I look forward to the community continuing to receive its benefits.

MS MacDONALD

: I have a supplementary question. If members of the public notice suspicious activity, what should they do?

MR WOOD

: That is a good question. I will emphasise that in my answer as we receive comments about that at various times. The police certainly need the help of Canberrans in ensuring that they adequately protect their homes and lessen opportunities for would-be thieves. For genuine emergencies requiring urgent assistance, 000 is always the number. When reporting suspicious activity which could lead to police action, people should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For general policing calls seeking police attendance or police advice, people should call 131 444 and they will be referred to the appropriate area or station within the police network. Calls directly to police stations should only be made when the caller has been instructed to phone a specific officer. A modern communication system now feeds all police calls through a centralised network under which the Crime Stoppers number and the general 131 444 number are coordinated. This centralised and

efficient system allows for the immediate deployment of officers to situations needing attendance. I had a look in the phone book to check on the number. It is in the phone book under "Police". If you forget that it is 131 444, reference to "Police"in the telephone book will give it to you.

Auditor-General's report No 7

Mr Speaker

presented the following paper:

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