By VANESSA VALENZUELA
YOUNG people are responsible for more than half of all robberies committed in Brimbank, according to Victoria Police statistics.
Figures obtained by Star reveal youths committed 1077 crimes in Brimbank between July 2011 and June this year, accounting for 15 per cent of all crimes committed in the municipality.
More than 160 youths under 18 years of age were charged with assault in Brimbank, while young people made up 52.2 per cent of Brimbank robbery offences, with 128 charged.
Figures also show 89 youths were charged with theft of a motor vehicle, making up 40.6 per cent of all vehicle thefts, and 106 young people were charged with property damage.
Another 167 youths were charged with shoplifting, 74 with theft from a motor vehicle and 44 were charged over residential burglaries.
Brimbank’s Acting Inspector Chris Gilbert said there were a number of reasons why young people committed offences, including peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, social disadvantage, immaturity and boredom.
“None of these issues are unique to Brimbank but we do recognise the challenges we face along with all of the other agencies providing a public service in the municipality,” he said
He said young people who have meaningful links to family, education, employment opportunities and community groups were less likely to offend.
“Police form an important but small piece of the overall picture. A holistic approach involving whole-of-community support is the best way to ensure positive influencing of youth attitudes.”
Visy Cares Hub General Manager Karen Hart said Brimbank had one of the highest levels of social disadvantage in Melbourne’s West, and noted that a sense of disconnection from family, friends and the community encouraged young people to take part in risky behaviour.
“We are finding there are a lot of issues around drug and alcohol abuse. Even with under 18 year olds cannabis is a big issue and health issues, in particular mental health issues, derive from any sort of substance abuse.”
She said once young people became involved in the criminal justice system, it was a real challenge to deter them from committing further offences.
“From our point of view there is a real lack of funding going into preventative programs that might assist them to stop their reoffending and reduce the recidivism rates.”
