Consolidated spending on defence, public order and safety will grow at an annual average rate of 6.2 per cent in the medium term from R141.7 billion in 2012/13 to R169.8 billion in 2015/16. The serious crime rate per 100 000 of the population has declined from 4 299 in 2008/09 to 4 126 in 2011/12. Priority areas for reprioritised funds within the Department of Police are to support expanded detective and forensic capability.