Liam McNally
Recorded criminal offences have increased by 22.6 per cent across Melton in the 12 months to June, according to new data from the Crime Statistics Agency.
Moorabool recorded 2,378 offences, up from 1,939 in the previous year.
The five most common offences were breach of a family violence order, which rose to 313 from 229, steal from a motor vehicle at 233 up from 137, criminal damage at 203 up from 165, other theft at 180 up from 152, and motor vehicle theft rose to 115 from 65.
The offence rate per 100,000 population was higher in Moorabool than in Melton, at 6,032.9 and 5,985.8 respectively.
Both crime rates were below the Victorian rate of 7,494.4 offences per 100,000 people.
In Melton offences rose by 0.8 per cent to 12,186 offences from 12,091.
The most common offence in Melton was also breach of a family violence order, although the number of offences dropped 1880 to 1,683.
The next most common offences in Melton were other theft, steal from a motor vehicle, criminal damage and drug possession.
State-wide there were 506,408 criminal offences recorded in Victoria, representing an increase of 37,259 offences or 7.9 per cent from the previous year.
When compared to pre-pandemic levels, overall crime is lower by 1.4 per cent.
The most common crimes in Victoria were steal from a retail store, theft from a motor vehicle, breach of bail conditions, theft of motor vehicle and burglary/break and enter offences.
Melton police local area commander acting inspector Tim Jacobs said police are out patrolling the community every night, recovering stolen vehicles and arresting offenders, but also ask the community take some simple measures to help prevent their homes being broken into.
“Simple home security measures such as locking all doors and windows to your home and car can go a long way to preventing your car from being stolen or home broken into,“ he said.
“Family violence is also a major priority for us – no one should ever have to feel unsafe in their own home.
“The statistics indicate Melton police are continuing to arrest offenders for breaching family violence orders – with an increase of 18 per cent since pre-pandemic.“
