Alice Springs has been ranked as the 18th most dangerous city globally, according to the Crime Index 2024 Mid-Year report by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced data website. This ranking underscores the significant crime issues that continue to plague the Red Centre location. Notably, eight Australian cities made the list of 311 cities, with the Gold Coast being the closest to Alice Springs at 139.
Recent Curfews and Crime Spikes
In response to the persistent crime problem, Alice Springs recently emerged from another curfew imposed to curb criminal activities. Mayor Matt Paterson noted that an initial curfew implemented 12 weeks ago had a positive impact, but a subsequent surge in crimes, particularly around major events, necessitated a new curfew.
“It is disappointing, it is something we have spoken about for the last couple of years, the challenges that we are facing here and it is probably time that everyone actually believes us,” Paterson told Today. “What we are saying is not just glorifying crime, it is actually real and it is what we are living with every day.”
High-Visibility Policing and Resource Needs
Mayor Paterson emphasized that a proactive approach involving high-visibility policing has been effective in reducing crime and reassuring both locals and visitors of their safety. However, he acknowledged the shortage of police personnel and commended the existing officers for their hard work.
“We know we don’t have enough police and I take my hat off to the police on the ground here, every day they work incredibly hard in a job I couldn’t do, but we certainly need more of them,” he said. “And we certainly need to not just focus on alcohol being the problem in Alice Springs, there is alcohol and youth crime and we need to address both of those things together.”
Comparative Rankings
The Crime Index report highlighted the top five most dangerous cities as Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (1st), Pretoria, South Africa (2nd), Caracas, Venezuela (3rd), Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (4th), and Johannesburg, South Africa (5th).
In Australia, the cities ranked in the Crime Index report were:
- Gold Coast: 139th
- Melbourne: 163rd
- Perth: 175th
- Brisbane: 208th
- Sydney: 219th
- Adelaide: 229th
- Canberra: 266th
Conclusion
The ranking of Alice Springs as the 18th most dangerous city in the world is a stark reminder of the ongoing crime challenges the city faces. The recent curfews and calls for increased police resources reflect the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address both alcohol-related issues and youth crime. The focus on high-visibility policing has shown promise, but the demand for more officers and a multifaceted approach remains critical to improving safety in Alice Springs.
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