By Esther Lauaki
Melton’s crime rate has soared to it’s highest in nearly a decade.
More than 11,000 offences were recorded in the year to March, 2019, up from 10,445 for the same time last year, according to Crime Statistics Agency data released last week.
The six per cent rise in recorded offences was driven by an increase in property and deception offences and justice procedures.
Moorabool also experienced a rise in property and deception offences, but overall crime increased by just 1.7 per cent from 2253 reported offences in 2018 to 2292 in 2019.
In Melton, property and deception offences, including arson, property damage, burglary and breaking and entering, theft and deception, jumped from 5903 to 6237 while justice procedures offences rose from 1639 to 1844.
Assaults were up 5.6 per cent, theft rose 5.4 per cent and drug use and possession offences were up 14.3 per cent.
Breaches in court orders also increased from 1338 to 1558, while weapons and explosives offences spiked from 357 to 405.
Contrary to the overall increase in Melton crime, reported sexual offences were down from 267 to 254 (4.8 per cent) while stalking and harassment offences were down to 302 from 338 (12 per cent).
In Moorabool, police continue to focus on crimes against the person, including homicide, assault, sexual offences, robbery, stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour, blackmail and extortion, abduction and dangerous and negligent acts, which has resulted in a 12 per cent decrease in offences.
Breaches in court orders were the main driver for the slight increase in overall crime, with offences up from 225 to 337 (33 per cent) in the past year.
Statewide, crime is up about 2 per cent overall, with drug use and possession offences rising 11 per cent and robbery up 6 per cent.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said that Victoria Police have this year focused on making people feel safe at home and on the streets.
“One of the outcomes of these statistics is we continue to see those high harm crimes,” Ms Neville said. “For the first time we’ve seen the victimisation rate decrease while the offending rate increases. Our key focus – our only focus – is making people feel safe.”
– with The Age
