NEW police figures show assaults also increased in Moorabool, with recorded offences increasing by 41 per cent in the past year.
Statistics released last week reveal the number of assaults jumped from 244 to 344 in the year to April. Overall, crime was up 18.3 per cent.
Inspector Brendan McCrory partly attributed this to increased demand for police services, driven by a steady rise in population.
Police cited licensed premises as a specific focus for assaults.
Inspector McCrory said some young people had identified misuse of social media as a contributor to the increased number of assaults.
“There are ongoing strategies and partnerships with schools to address this crime area,” he said.
Inspector McCrory also highlighted domestic violence as a major concern in Moorabool, urging residents who had been the victims of family violence to report the matter to police “The formation of a divisional family violence unit has been an established target . . . we can offer various avenues of support and referral to appropriate agencies.”
Theft from motor vehicles increased from 168 to 281 instances (up 67.3 per cent), with many of the thefts involving unlocked vehicles and occurring at night.
“Although this is a slight decrease from the previous year, it is still of great concern,” Inspector McCroy said.
