Crime is on the rise in a number of country towns in South Australia, while decreasing in some of Adelaide's traditional hotspots.

Key points: Crime up in some SA country towns but down overall

Crime up in some SA country towns but down overall Locals blame the drug ice on increase in offences over six years

Locals blame the drug ice on increase in offences over six years Police say population increase and different practices contributing

New statistics released by South Australia Police show crime increased by between 30 and 60 per cent in towns such as Kadina, Moonta, Port Hughes, Kapunda and Naracoorte between 2012-13 and 2017-18.

Postcodes in northern Adelaide including Angle Vale, Munno Para, Evanston and Bolivar had more reported crime, along with increased population.

Overall, crime was down six per cent in Adelaide and down 10 per cent in the country over the past six years.

It was especially down in traditional hotspots including Elizabeth, Davoren Park, Ceduna and Coober Pedy.

Just over 300 crimes were reported in postcode 5554 — which includes the Yorke Peninsula town of Kadina — in 2017-18, compared to 190 six years ago.

There was a similar increase in 5558, which includes Moonta, Moonta Bay and Port Hughes.

Storm clouds roll over the Yorke Peninsula town of Kadina. ( Amanda Cook )

Kadina Neighbourhood Watch area coordinator Ken Kakoschke put the increase down to people who could no longer afford to live in Adelaide moving to the towns, as well as the drug ice.

"The police do a very good job in the area but by the same token, the drug side of things has taken off in Kadina, which to me is very frightening," Mr Kakoschke said.

The increase in crime had definitely been noticed by locals, Mr Kakoschke said, although people were still adjusting to having to lock car and house doors.

"We never used to in the country," he said.

"That's the way it should be, but it's not the way it is now — it's very hard, society has changed a lot in the last 20 years."

Kadina is part of the Copper Coast Council, along with Wallaroo and Moonta.

Combined, the area has a population of about 14,000.

The area is known for its historic copper mining industry, its Cornish heritage, popular beaches and grain farming.

Mayor Roslyn Talbot said she was aware ice was a problem in the area, although she had not encountered it personally and she always felt safe in Kadina, even when walking at night.

"Gone are the days when you can leave your back door open and run out," she said.

While it is increasing, the crime rate in the Copper Coast is much lower than postcodes with the state's most offences, including the Adelaide CBD, Coober Pedy, Elizabeth, Davoren Park, Oaklands Park, Ceduna, Port Adelaide and Noarlunga Centre.

The rate was down in those areas, apart from Noarlunga Centre.

Kadina business Murphy's Crash & Towing Service was broken into twice last year.

The same items were stolen each time — tools and a customer's car, worth $100,000 in total.

"We were just devastated, I'll be honest," owner Alison Murphy said.

The Moonta mine had one of the world's largest copper deposits. ( National Trust SA )

Before the first break-in in August 2017, nothing like it had happened for 20 years.

"I would say it's very, very unusual," Mrs Murphy said.

"You used to trust everybody.

"Now, every customer that comes in I've never dealt with before, you watch them and we've never had to do that before.

"It makes you wary of people and we never felt like that before."

She also blamed drug use for the increase in crime.

"Ice — can I just say that — as far as I'm concerned, it is," she said.

Wallaroo was rocked by sieges in July and August.

In September, a Kadina pharmacy was held up with a gun.

And in January, three teenage boys and a woman were arrested after a brawl broke out outside the Kadina police station.

In August, farm machinery dealer Emmetts had six lawnmowers, a high-pressure cleaner and a customer's tractor stolen.

Like other businesses in Kadina, Emmetts parts manager Michael Simmons said they had increased security.

"Every time we've been hit, we've reviewed our security and upgraded," he said.

"We've spent a lot of money, but hopefully it doesn't happen again."

Police blame population increase, change in approach

South Australia Police Mid North operations manager Phil Kotaras said any increase in crime in the Yorke Peninsula was off a small base and could be attributed to a population increase.

The Copper Coast Council population has increased by nine per cent since 2011, according to the 2016 Census.

Police getting out and about in the community and meeting with the public more often — including Neighbourhood Watch forums — could also increase reporting.

"The way we do business now makes it easier for people to report crime," Senior Sergeant Kotaras said.

"I also think that if people have more confidence in their local police then they're more likely to report crime because they have more confidence and trust that their issues will be addressed and investigated."

He said much of the crime in the area happened in summer when tourists from outside of the area came to visit.

Locals were not used to locking up and putting things away.

"When you have property that isn't secured as well as it should be, we have a large number of opportunistic offences," he said.

Farming is the main industry in Cleve, which has the state's lowest crime rate. ( Instagram: Philipp Goebel and Johanna Brandt )

Eyre Peninsula towns have least crime

The towns with at least 1,000 residents with the least crime per person over the six years were Cleve and Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula, and Bridgewater and Meadows in the Adelaide Hills.

Only nine crimes were reported last financial year in Cleve.

There were three cases of property damage, two assaults, two thefts, one break-in and one case of fraud.

Compared with South Australia as a whole, postcode 5640 has a much higher median age, more people working full-time and more married couples.

Cleve Mayor Phil Cameron said the news the town had the state's lowest crime rate might encourage other people to move there to retire.

"I'm not surprised about it, but I'm very glad about it," Mr Cameron said.

"It just shows how good the community is and how vigilant they are and how well they look after their township.

"I think if someone wants to move or retire to a community that's very safe, well Cleve is the place."

He thanked the town's one police officer for contributing to keeping crime down.

Statistics for the APY Lands, Mintabie and Marla did not appear because police report them all under the postcode 5724 rather than separately.