Theft and family violence-related offences drove an overall increase of crime in the Melton municipality, with a 20.4 per cent rise in total offences, latest data reveals.
In the 12 months to March, there were 15,836 total offences recorded in the Melton municipality, up from 13,149 in the previous 12 months.
The top location for offences recorded was the house, with 6169 of recorded offences, followed by streets, lanes, and footpaths – with 2245 offences recorded at these locations.
The top three criminal offences recorded in the area were ‘theft other’, breaches of family violence intervention orders and theft from motor vehicles.
Melton Local Area Commander Inspector Lisa Prentice-Evans said the total increase in offences in houses “is driven by the rates of family violence incidents,” and the increase in offences at streets, lanes, and footpaths is due to an increase in theft from motor vehicle incidents.
Inspector Prentice-Evans said there was a 15.8 per cent increase in reported family violence incidents in comparison to 3056 at the same time last year.
“The majority of affected family members (victims) are recorded as females aged between 25-44 years. The importance of community awareness around family violence cannot be stressed enough,” she said.
“The criminal aspect of dealing with family violence is important with regards to initiating intervention order applications to protect victims and also charging and holding offenders to account. The referrals into support services for [victims and survivors] of family violence is also essential.”
She said The Orange Door Melton provides support with the care and wellbeing of those who are experiencing family violence – and if it is an emergency, she urges people to call triple-0.
In regards to ‘theft over’ offenses, Inspector Prentice-Evans said these include incidents such as petrol theft, theft of copper, and theft of items from properties under construction that are “not yet at lock-up stage.”
She said the most common item stolen from motor vehicles was the registration plate and urged residents to consider affixing their plates with anti-theft screws, available at hardware and automotive stores.
