NT Crime Falls Overall, But Regional Communities Still Report Rising Violence

The Northern Territory government says its tough-on-crime policies are delivering results, with new data showing a significant drop in overall crime across the territory. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced the figures on Friday, crediting the Country Liberal Party’s reforms including Declan’s Law, which has led to a 38 per cent increase in bail refusals for keeping more offenders behind bars and off the streets.

The data, comparing January to August 2025 with the same period in 2024, indicates that crime has fallen across the NT as a whole. Finocchiaro said the results prove the CLP’s approach “is working,” though she acknowledged more work remains to be done.

But the picture is far from uniform. In Palmerston, reports of sexual assaults and property damage have risen, while violent crime is up in Katherine and Tennant Creek. Residents in these areas say they are not feeling safer, despite the government’s claims of progress.

Since taking office in 2024, the CLP has rolled out a series of hardline measures, including tougher bail laws, lowering the age of criminal responsibility, and increased law-and-order spending. Supporters argue these steps are beginning to turn the tide on crime, while critics warn they may only displace problems rather than solve them.

Opposition Leader Selena Uibo questioned whether the government’s crackdown would deliver lasting change. She argued that without addressing deeper social issues, the policies risk shifting crime from one community to another rather than reducing it overall.

The debate highlights a growing divide between official statistics and community perceptions. While the government points to falling numbers as proof of success, many Territorians say the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Tags: Northern Territory crime data 2025, Lia Finocchiaro Declan’s Law, NT crime crackdown, CLP government crime policy, NT bail law reforms, Palmerston crime rise, Katherine violent crime, Tennant Creek crime increase, Selena Uibo NT opposition, NT law and order debate.