More than 70 arrests were made during a one-month long Police operation targeting property crime and low level drug offences.

Acting Commander Matt Hollamby said Operation Crown, which wrapped up last week, was instigated following a spike in property crime in Darwin late last year.

“Between Christmas and New Year, there was a spate of unlawful entries on homes where the offenders entered through unlocked doors whilst the occupants were asleep,” Acting Commander Hollamby said.

“We were terribly concerned about this particularly because people were at home at the time of these crimes and as a result we launched Operation Crown.

“This was a high impact Policing response to that series of unlawful entries.”

Operation Crown was an intelligence-lead operation which targeted criminals and emerging crime patterns.

It involved the Darwin, Palmerston and Casuarina Tactical Teams, the Drug and Organised Crime Section and the Territory Intelligence Division, A/Commander Hollamby said.

Police seized mobile phones, laptop computers and bicycles that were stolen from dwellings and motor vehicles across Darwin, he said.

“This Operation resulted in 75 criminals being arrested and another 15 being summonsed to appear in Court,” A/Commander Hollamby said.

“The Operation has concluded but we will be maintaining a strong policing emphasis on keeping people safe in their own homes.”

The community can help by locking their doors at night and not leaving valuables including car keys and wallets on the kitchen bench.

“If you see people acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood, please call the Police,” A/Commander Hollamby said.

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