Chamber of Commerce NT – Crime and Vandalism Survey
CRIME AND VANDALISM SURVEY Chamber urgently calls Government to act on these results
Embargo 12:00pm Wednesday 12 April 2017
Visual Chart – CCNT Crime and Vandalism Survey Results
Over the last week, the Chamber of Commerce NT conducted an on-line survey with our NT business community, asking if they had been affected by the current crime and vandalism wave, and to describe the impacts it has had on their businesses.
“In a resounding response almost 400 local business owners took time out of their busy schedules to respond – confirming this is a serious issue for business that demands urgent action by the Territory Government including stronger resourcing in this upcoming Budget” said A/g CEO of the Chamber, Brian O’Gallagher.
Over 70% of respondents claim they have been a victim of crime and vandalism within the last 12 months – mostly break-ins, attempted break ins, damage to property and stolen goods. This confirms that the issue is real and not a so-called media beat up.
In terms of financial impact, respondents stated they were impacted with damages and loss of earnings ranging from around $1000 to greater than $150,000. Significant impacts also related to personal stress, businesses having to close to make the necessary repairs and a loss of business confidence.
Other impacts personally raised by some businesses included ‘the impact on tourism – with guests feeling unsafe’, ‘nervous staff members both in the workplace and when leaving work at night’ and ‘the boarding up of windows and doors to deter criminals lessening the appearance of many shop fronts’.
The majority of businesses report these crimes to the Police but the success in finding or prosecuting offenders seems limited. More than 85% of participants said they reported the crime, with only 20% stating that they knew the offenders were found or prosecuted.
Of great concern is that many businesses don’t see the any value in claiming insurance – with almost 65% of respondents indicating they don’t lodge a claim because of the worry of increased insurance premiums or that their excess is so high it is not worth making a claim.
Crime & Vandalism is clearly a Territory wide issue for local businesses – with responses coming from across the Territory, and naming almost all suburbs in Darwin, Palmerston, the Rural Area, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy.
Mr O’Gallagher said “the Chamber of Commerce NT will share these results directly with the Chief Minister and Minister for Business, the Hon. Michael Gunner and his Ministerial and Parliamentary colleagues. We will also share them with the Police Commissioner and other relevant Agency CEOs.”