By Vanessa Chircop
CRIME is once again on the decline in Hobsons Bay.
Latest crime statistics released by Victoria Police show that overall crime has fallen in by 3.5 per cent following a previous reduction of 5.4 per cent.
The total number of crimes committed within Hobsons Bay reached 6518, down from 6762 between October 2008 and September 2009.
Hobsons Bay Inspector Bill Mathers told Star that the results reflected the extra work Victoria Police are doing to tackle crime in Hobsons Bay.
“We’re very happy with the results more so because they built on previous good results as well,” Insp Mathers said.
However statistics did reveal an increase for some individual crimes throughout the municipality.
Drug offences in Hobsons Bay’s police service area increased by 9.4 per cent and assault by 5 per cent between October 2009 and September 2010.
Other Crime including crimes relating to public order, carrying weapons, drinking in public and harassment saw an increase by 35.5 per cent.
Insp Mathers said these increases were not bad news and just reflected the extra focus police are putting on minor crimes.
“We’re being more vigilant in our summer policing and being proactive in addressing antisocial behaviour before it turns criminal and escalates into more serious crime,” he said.
“A lot of assaults are related to family violence and we’re working with other organisations to reduce these crimes – our clearance rates are up and we’re processing more people committing these crimes.
“The statistics that really please me are the reduction in fatalities and serious injuries because these are the issues that really matter to families.”
The rolling 12 month statistics show a 3.8 per cent drop in overall crime across Victoria, including a 9 per cent drop in robberies and continued reductions in property crime.
