NCJ Number
188687
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 52-55
Date Published
March 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses Canberra's policing operation to combat high burglary, auto theft, and other crime rates.
Abstract
Canberra's Operation Dilute includes an Operations Committee and an Intelligence Committee. The Operations Committee consists of representatives of the crime prevention and support areas, the superintendent in charge of each of the four patrols in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and the superintendent in charge of the territory's investigations group. It meets weekly and sets priorities for ACT policing based on information from the Intelligence Committee. The Intelligence Committee comprises a network of tacticians and intelligence officers from the four ACT geographic areas and from various crime categories such as drugs, sexual assaults, child abuse, and property crimes. Operation Dilute has maximized opportunities to obtain the best evidence from burglary scenes and from recovered stolen motor vehicles; established a 12-person burglary/stolen vehicle strike team tasked with high profile engagement of known recidivist offenders; adopted a pro-arrest pro-charge philosophy for recidivist burglars and car thieves; used real time intelligence support to target burglary and stolen vehicle hot spots; and conducted a high profile media awareness campaign highlighting the progress of the operation and linked crime prevention activities. Operation Dilute cut the ACT burglary rate by 34 percent and the car theft rate by 48 percent in just 4 months.