DRUG offences in Moorabool have jumped 50 per cent in the past year as the shire’s overall crime rate increased at almost twice the state average.
New police data reveals the number of drug-related incidents rose from 42 to 63 in the year to June, with overall crime increasing by 15 per cent. The state’s overall crime rate rose by 8.2 per cent in the same period.
There were 1372 offences reported to police in the past year, with drug possession charges up 36 per cent. Incidents of harassment tripled.
However, Bacchus Marsh’s Acting Inspector Pat Cleary said the arrests of five “very active” drug dealers in the past few months would go some way to reducing drug crime.
“We expect those arrests to have an impact on crime rates,” he said.
“The main cause of crime, like just across the state, is drugs. There is a direct correlation between drug movement and use, with increasing crime rates in Moorabool.”
With other significant increases occurring in the categories of theft (80.3 per cent), theft of motor vehicles (74.4 per cent), assault (19 per cent), theft from motor vehicles (14.5 per cent) and residential burglary (12.3 per cent), Moorabool’s crime investigation unit will gain an extra detective. A burglary task force will also be set up this month to support uniform officers.
“I still believe the Moorabool community is a very safe community to live in and to visit,” Inspector Mick Myers said in a statement.
He said despite operations Catch and Crikey, which focused on rural thefts, and the recovery of large amounts of stolen property, those offences continued to occur.
Road offences are also a concern.
“Moorabool police are continually amazed at the number of offenders who are detected driving dangerously, under the influence of alcohol and at high speeds,” Inspector Myers said.
“Moorabool highway patrol has conducted 18 specific road policing operations in support of local units so far this year, but we continue to see far too many casualties on our roads.”
