From today South Australia Police will begin publishing monthly state and Local Service Area (LSA) crime statistics.

The release of these statistics, which can be found online at www.police.sa.gov.au each month, is part of a commitment to extend our communication and engagement with the community.

Helpful information to explain the crime data will be published at the same time, along with specific comments from each LSA manager that provide rationale for any fluctuations in the statistics.

Anyone who is interested – within the wider community, media, Government and SAPOL staff – will be able to access the information.

An interactive map, published for the first time today, will invite the user to enter a post code, or click on their suburb or town. A link will then take them to the appropriate Local Service Area data.

“We believe that easier access to crime statistics, and in particular the release of details at the local level, will encourage better community awareness and understanding of crime in their area and across the state,” Commissioner Gary Burns said.

The fact remains that victim reported crime has declined in South Australia – dropping by about 40% since 2000-2001. In the last year alone, 2011-12, there was a 5.6% reduction.

“Despite significant reduction in crime over the past decade, we still find that fear and perceptions of crime outweigh the actual crime situation,” he said.

“To help provide a more realistic picture of crime each LSA will provide local background to the figures to assist in understanding particular issues around those numbers.

“I’m hoping we can reduce the fear of crime, which in itself is a crucial factor in how safe people feel in their home, community and state. By giving people factual information about crime numbers, we are aiming to provide reassurance and confidence for all South Australians as they go about their daily lives.

“It’s important to note that SAPOL statistics are in compliance with nationally accepted and approved counting rules.

“These rules will apply to the figures released next month, and the month after that, and the month after that. So we believe people will get a clear picture of crime within their community and their state.”

Hopefully this new initiative will also encourage more informed community involvement and promote feelings of safety around the state.

Links to the latest crime data will also be available through SAPOL’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/sapolicenews and tweeted to SAPOL’s followers.