By Esther Lauaki
Melton’s crime rate continues to fall as police hone in on thefts across the region – but there is still work to be done.
Offences in Melton fell by 362 from 21,996, a drop of 2.9 per cent, according to data recently released by the Crime Statistics Agency.
The main drivers behind the tumbling crime rates were significant drops in property and deception offences (6372 to 6045) and justice procedures offences (1780 to 1746). Burglary and break and enter offences decreased from 1145 to 1068, theft from 3873 to 3564 and arson from 93 to 85 .
North West Metro region Inspector Kathy Rudkins said targeted operations to address high-volume crime had led to significant reductions in burglaries and thefts.
“We’ve targeted fairly heavily our theft of petrol and petrol drive-offs which is something that we work constantly on,” Inspector Rudkins said.
“There have been a number of arrests regularly in recent months and that has been the main driver for a reduction in thefts.”
Contrary to the overall fall in crime, drug offences have risen by five per cent to 477, driven mainly by a spike in dealing and trafficking from 61 to 90.
Sexual offences were up to 287 from 260 while assaults climbed from 929 to 959.
Inspector Rudkins said that despite crimes against the person offences increasing slightly (0.4 per cent), it remained an area of concern.
“The area that most concerns me is crimes against the person because of the harm that they cause and that people have to live with … particularly victims of assaults or personal crimes,” she said. “The more we can arrest people who are committing those crimes and get them off the streets, the safer our community is going to be.”
An additional four general duties police officers were allocated to the Melton Police Service Area since last year, as well as nine divisional family violence specialists.
“The highly visible police presence and improved police response will be felt by people living in Caroline Springs, Melton and surrounding suburbs,” Inspector Rudkins told
