The NT Police property crimes unit dealt with a record number of offenders during the last financial year, police said Wednesday, with Strike Force Trident taking action against 1,452 offenders in relation to 4,466 offences across the Greater Darwin region, which was up from 1,362 offenders in 2024-25.

However, the police curiously did not provide the number of offences it dealt with in 2024-25.

Of the 1,452 offenders dealt with by the unit in the past financial year, 1,312 ended in arrests, 84 in summonses being issued and 56 youth offenders were “diverted”, police said. A further breakdown showed 674 were youths and 778 were adults.

“Property crime remained the main focus for Strike Force Trident, with almost 70 per cent of all offenders apprehended for offences such as motor vehicle theft, unlawful entry and other property-related crime,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Burns.

“Strike Force Trident works alongside local police and specialist units, including the Dog Operations Unit and Operation Ventura, with officers working together to locate offenders and hold those responsible to account.

“The unit also regularly focuses on offenders who travel into town, steal vehicles and other property, and then return to remote communities.”

Snr Sgt Burns said proactive work undertaken by Strike Force Trident contributed to reductions in “key property offences across the Greater Darwin region by six per cent”, but it was unclear which “key” offences he was referring.

The police crime statistics have always been suspect because the agency claims crime is down by comparing one month to another month from the year previous, which does not allow for reporting or recognition of current crime trends.

“The increase in enforcement activity demonstrates our ongoing commitment to targeting those responsible for property crime and repeat offending and reflects the determination of our members to keep Territorians safe,” Snr Sgt Burns said.