Oliver Lees
The crime rate in Melton has dropped significantly in the year to September, according to data released last week.
The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian crime statistics for the year ending September 30 last week, revealing an overall 10 per cent decrease in crime across the state.
According to the data, 12,550 offences were recorded in Melton in the year to September, compared with 14,202 in 2020.
Melton recorded a slight 0.5 decrease in family violence (FV) incidents in the past year, which was inconsistent with the rest of the state. Victoria recorded an overall 4.3 per cent increase in FV offences.
Melton South was the municipality’s most crime prone area (2106 offences), ahead of Melton (2014) and Melton West (1595).
CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said the timing of COVID-19 restrictions played a role in the dip in numbers.
“COVID-19-related restrictions on movement have continued to coincide with decreases in the more opportunistic crime types such as theft, however, there have been fewer breaches of CHO (chief health officer) directions offences recorded in the past 12 months,” Ms Dowsley said.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Rich Nugent said it was pleasing to see the crime rate trend down.
“We are particularly encouraged by the reduced number of burglaries, robberies and thefts, offences that can be very distressing for victims,” Mr Nugent said.
“Less crime also means fewer victims, with a reduction in 27,338 victim reports in the last twelve months.
“This represents the largest decrease in victim reports and the lowest count in ten years. Pleasingly, this includes a decrease in person victims with 15,212 fewer person victim reports in the past year.”
Mr Nugent said Victoria Police’s focus will shift to keeping the community safe over the holiday period.
“This will be achieved through a number of ongoing state-wide and local operations to detect and deter crime before it can occur, monitor known persons of interest before they offend, and bring those who commit crimes before the courts,” he said.
