NSW:Cocaine spike marks NSW crime stats

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2010
NSW:Cocaine spike marks NSW crime stats

SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - A spike in drug offences, particularly cocaine use and possession,
marks the latest NSW crime statistics, which also show a significant fall in assaults
at pubs and clubs.

The quarterly NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures published
on Tuesday showed drug crime had risen sharply with a 45.4 per cent increase in possession
and/or use of cocaine over the 24 months to September this year.

Possession and/or use of cannabis rose 32.5 per cent over the same period.

Drug trafficking offences overall had risen 68.2 per cent.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the fight against drug crime had been going
on for many years.

But he said the "massive increases in the number of people arrested and charged and
put before the courts for carrying, possessing and supplying cocaine was not a bad thing".

BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn said increased drug use was the most likely explanation
for the spike in drug arrests.

There was a nine per cent fall in assaults on licensed premises in the 24 months to
September this year, from 6514 to 5928, attributed to tougher policies against pubs and
clubs known for violence.

There was also a 14 per cent fall in assaults on police officers over the period.

The incidence of nine of the 17 major categories of recorded crime was stable and eight
of them declined in the 24 months to September 2010.

None of the major categories of crime were rising on a statewide basis, the figures showed.

Police Minister Michael Daley told reporters NSW had not been safer for "decades".

AAP mdg/wjf/pc/apm

KEYWORD: CRIME NSW UPDATE

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.