Crime And Police In Australia

Petty crime in Australia is most prevalent within inner cities and areas with a high proportion of aboriginal inhabitants where drink related offences can be numerous. However, as in many civilized countries, violent crime is a relatively rare occurrence and is limited to organised crime circles. Visitors are generally safe from criminal incidents provided they take common sense measures to avoid falling victim to crimes.

Crime and peacekeeping forces are organised by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) which enforces Commonwealth law and protects national interests from all types of crime. As a member of Interpol, it maintains liaison officers posted in at least 20 countries. On a domestic level, it also maintains inter State services to regulate domestic crime.

The ACT gives regular uniformed community policing services while Federal Agents work in plain clothes based in every Australian city.

Emergency phone numbers

In a life threatening emergency:

Dial 000 and ask for the ambulance, fire or police service
Dial 106 for the Emergency Relay Service for people with hearing or speech impediments

Both these numbers can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.