Despite a higher number of offences recorded compared to other regions, Tasmania's Northern District Commander is confident a trend that saw total offences drop in 2020 will continue.
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The latest figures available show the Launceston division recorded more total offences, 4940, than any other division.
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The division also had more serious crime, robbery, property offences, home and business burglaries and car thefts than any other division.
Northern District Commander Stuart Wilkinson said despite the fact the division did record the highest number of those offences, the number had reduced from the previous year.
Total crime in the Launceston division had dropped from 6191 to 4940 - a reduction of 20 per cent.
While Tasmania Police in the past had said the COVID-19 pandemic had contributed to a crime drop, Commander Wilkinson said there was no doubt the hard work of Northern district members had also played a role.
He said because the numbers were down, the district was able to refocus the use resources into targeted areas, such as the recent firearms taskforce.
"We've been able to have a bit of discretionary time to throw resources at that problem," he said.
"If crime rates were up significantly it might take away our ability to form task forces."
The Launceston division was privy to an allotment of 27 new officers coming from the recent state election and commander Wilkinson said more numbers would no doubt contribute to bringing the number of crimes down further.
"We're responding to a constant demand and more police allows the police responding to spread the load and be proactive," he said,
"I feel as though we're tracking in the right direction and crimes and offences are tracking down. The good work of our members in Launceston and the North district is a factor."
Police Association of Tasmania president Colin Riley said higher rates of crime in Launceston had been a recurring theme for a decade - but it had nothing to do with police not working hard enough, rather the workload they had to undertake.
"Launceston has had systematic issues with crime over a period of 10 years," he said.
"Police officers are working flat chat. Officers in Launceston are probably the hardest working officers in the state.
"There are just too many crimes coming in the door ... it's breaking police in the process."
Though the problem may have been present for about 10 years, Mr Riley said recent changes in the North left him positive about what was on the horizon for the Launceston division.
The Police Association asked for a commitment of 70 officers to be added to the workforce including 33 in the North to deal with "historically higher rates of crime".
While the government did not meet the demanded 70, they promised to add an extra 50 across the state including the 27 in the North.
Mr Riley said the 27 police officers headed to the division would underscore a reinforcement of the region.
"They should once and for all bring those numbers of crime down," he said.
Mr Riley said he expected it would take about four years for Launceston to come back on par with other divisions for crime rates.
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