Two years to reverse eight years of Labor’s crime crisis as victim numbers plummet

24 August 2026

• Number of victims of crime in Territory falls sharply as Finocchiaro CLP Government reverses Labor's crime crisis.
   
• Total number of criminal offences falls by more than 10,000 a year.
   
• Reducing crime remains Finocchiaro CLP Government's number one priority as it marks two years in office.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government’s focus on reversing Labor’s crime crisis has resulted in 3,500 fewer Territorians becoming victims of crime.

As the Finocchiaro CLP Government marks two years in office today, the latest crime statistics show that the total number of victims of crime fell by 3,501, a 13.2% reduction year on year to the end of June 2026.

This was the result of total offences falling across the Territory, returning crime offence rates to 2017 levels.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the total number of offences has fallen by more than 10,000 a year under the CLP Government from a high of nearly 41,000 under the former Labor government.

“Labor’s crime crisis had Territorians leaving in droves, people living in fear and businesses closing down,” the Chief Minister said.

“The reputational damage Labor caused the Territory is unforgivable and they have not learnt their lesson.

“The Finocchiaro CLP Government has made reducing crime our number one priority and that commitment is as important to us now as it was in 2024.

“There is much more to do and we have shown through our actions that we have the discipline and determination to get things done.”

The latest statistics show that across the Territory:

• Total offences are down to 30,279 from almost 41,000 under Labor
• Property offences are down 16%
• Total victims are down by 3,501
• Motor vehicle theft is down 28%
• Residential break-ins are down 24%
• Commercial break-ins are down 36%
• Sexual offences are down 13%
• Assaults down 10%.

The latest crime statistics come as the Finocchiaro CLP Government announced plans for a 1,200-bed Men’s Remand Centre at Holtze, as well as a new purpose-built 200-bed women’s centre.

A record 92 recruits joined the NT Police Force family this month in four streams, including Constables, PPSOs, auxiliaries and accelerated recruitment.

Since coming to government, 259 new police recruits across all streams have commenced training and graduated, including Constables, PPSOs, and Auxiliaries.

This includes 186 Constables, 52 Police Auxiliaries, and our first cohort of 21 PPSOs which graduated in late June.

A further 35 PPSOs are in training.

“There has never been a better or more exciting time to join the NT Police Force,” the Chief Minister said.

“As a Government, we are laser focused on empowering our frontline to do their jobs effectively and safely.

“The latest crime statistics show encouraging results which demonstrate that our strategy is working and that we have changed the Territory for the better because of our relentless commitment to reverse Labor’s crime crisis.”

The figures show that:

• In Darwin, total offences were down 13%, assaults were down 13%, motor vehicle theft down 36%, residential break-ins down 21%, commercial break-ins down 53%
• Alice Springs recorded total offences down 30%, property offences down 37%, motor vehicle theft down 54%, residential break-ins down 41%, commercial break-ins down 54%, and assaults down 16%
• In Katherine, where general duties police numbers are up nearly 10% to 81 since 2024, total offences were down 9%, property offences down 9%, residential break-ins down 17%, commercial break-ins down 34% and assaults down 11%
• Tennant Creek’s total offences were steady, residential break-ins were down 6% and assaults down 14%.

The latest figures to the end of June 2026 were recorded during Operation Ventura, a targeted police operation in Palmerston designed to disrupt anti-social behaviour, reduce offending and improve community safety. It concluded on 17 July.

By the conclusion of Operation Ventura, police:

• Made 118 arrests
• Nearly 4,000 high-visibility patrols
• Tipped out 2,431 litres of alcohol
• Issued 375 banned drinker orders
• Wrote 43 infringements
• Conducted more than 1,000 wandings
• Seized 25 weapons.

While total offences in Palmerston were up 4%, house break-ins in Palmerston fell 21%, commercial break-ins fell 34%, and common assaults declined 24%.

The Chief Minister concluded: “There is much more work to do and we will continue to make the right decisions on behalf of Territorians in our year of growth, certainty and security.”

Media contact: Nathan Vass - 0405 799 790