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Canberra's crime hotspots have been revealed by a Fairfax Media analysis of official police data. Analysis reveals total crime in the territory has dropped 1.6 per cent since 2014 but reported assaults have increased by almost 40 per cent. Data mapping shows assaults, sexual assaults and theft are concentrated in the suburbs of Civic and Belconnen while also revealing: The number of assaults within the city centre was particularly concerning, with reported incidents climbing from 281 in 2014 to 430 last year. A spokesman for Police Minister Mick Gentleman said the government was aware inner-city violence was an issue and was working to combat it. "It is an issue that we are addressing and it remains an important part of our focus in reducing crime throughout the territory," he said. See Canberra's crime hotspots here Opposition police spokeswoman Giulia Jones said many residents had been noticing a change within Civic in recent years. "There's more crime in Canberra than people would like to think," she said. "Perhaps we need to think about how to make the city safer. I do think we have a vulnerability in the city. "There are complaints from residents about how the city feels... It is a little bit dangerous at times." Historically, crime has been cut by more than 13 per cent since 2012, when it reached a five-year peak of 49,986 reported incidents. Since 2014 the total number of crimes throughout the ACT has dropped from 43,938 to 43,268. ACT Policing said community support had played a huge part in achieving and maintaining this reduction. "Canberra remains one of the safest major cities in Australia," a spokesman said. "One of the main reasons we have such a safe community is the support we receive from the Canberra community. "Information we receive from the public greatly assists police with our investigations. They remain our eyes and ears." The spokesman said police were constantly keeping an eye on emerging crime patterns and developing strategies to combat them. "It should be noted crime is cyclical and ACT Policing remains ready to adapt and evolve in order to meet any challenges which arise in the future," he said. The Police Minister's spokesman added that tackling organised crime and alcohol-fulled violence were priorities for the next four years. "The government is committed to keeping Canberra safe," he said. "ACT Policing does excellent work on a daily basis to keep the Canberra community safe, as is borne out by the statistics. "Our priorities continue to be those outlined in the 2016-17 ministerial direction. "Responding to serious and organised crime, tackling domestic and family violence, reducing and preventing alcohol-fuelled violence, continuing our commitment to restorative justice and improving road safety."

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