Offences that enable addicts to quickly convert stolen property to cash have surged statewide in the past few months.

Business, home and car burglaries have all risen to the point they are now above the three-year average, police statistics available to the public show.

‘‘It’s definitely related [to drug use] because we know the stories of the people, that to support their addictions, a lot of the time they break in and commit burglaries,’’ City Mission’s Brian Roach said yesterday.

‘‘There’s a lot of hype about ice use, it’s the worst drug you could possibly take.’’

Mr Roach said for addicts paying between $70 and $100 a hit, burglaries were a tempting option.

The charity worker said the increase in property crimes could also be linked to low socio-economic factors.

Last week a new report showed Tasmania had the most people living below the poverty line in Australia and the phenomenon was increasing.

‘‘A lot of people are doing it tough,’’ Mr Roach said.

On Tuesday police Assistant Commissioner Donna Adams told a media conference there was a ‘‘slight’’ increase in property crime across the state.

‘‘It’s actually difficult for us to quantify the impact of crime as a result of ice use, however, major crime is down,’’ she said.

In the first two months of the financial year property offences increased 42 per cent to 950 separate offences in Launceston.

Across the state nearly 4000 property crimes were committed compared with less than 3000 in the same period last year.

■HOME BURGLARIES in Launceston almost doubled to 81 in July and August. There were 381 statewide, up from 232 during the same time last year and above the three-year average of 266.

■BUSINESS BURGLARIES in Launceston increased from 33 to 44 when compared with the same time last year. There were 181 statewide, a 45 per cent increase, and above the 118 three-year average.

■THERE was an 85 per cent increase in car burglaries, representing 79 break-ins in Launceston, while statewide car burglaries went from 175 in July and August last year to 284 this year during those months.

The North’s recently appointed Commander Brett Smith has told The Examiner that police are developing a strategy to combat increases in property offences.

‘‘One of the things I’d really like to push out to the community is crime prevention is everybody’s responsibility,’’ Commander Smith said.

‘‘You can prevent a lot of this by locking cars and moving valuables from out of sight.’’

Commander Smith said the crimes were opportunistic except when it came to high-value power tools, which appeared to be the subject of targeted thefts.

For 24-hour alcohol and drug confidential counselling phone 1800811994.

A Launceston-based support group for families affected by drug use exists and can be reached on 0419879696.