By ERWIN CHLANDA
Crime against the person rose sharply in Alice Springs during the COVID-19 month of May while property offences dropped, according to police statistics.
There was an 18.2% increase in domestic violence related assaults, 1439 rising to 1586.
Other assaults went up 10.2% and alcohol related assaults, 3.4%.
There were fewer sexual assaults, down 13.2%, 68 declining to 59.
House break-ins dropped from 611 to 558, a decline of 13.2%.
Commercial premises declined from 402 to 326, down 18.9% and motor vehicle theft decreased substantially – 466 down to 340 or 27%.