By Xavier Smerdon
ASSAULTS and thefts are on the rise in Wyndham according to the latest statistics released by Victoria Police.
Assault, excluding family violence, rose by 23 per cent in 2010 while residential burglary rose by 15.6 per cent.
Crime in Wyndham dropped by 2.8 per cent overall.
Inspector Bill Weatherly told Star that a rise in crime was expected with the growth in population Wyndham was experiencing.
“The crime figures released shows just how challenging it is for police in the Wyndham area,” Insp Weatherly said.
“Just the other day I reflected on the growth of the area. I have been the Police Service Area Manager since January 2007 and in that time I have seen the area grow by some 40,000 people – that alone places extra pressure on the local police and other service providers.
“Wyndham is such a dynamic area with new estates and shopping centres popping up overnight, so you can see the challenges facing the local police, a challenge that we will continue to tackle.”
Insp Weatherly said that while the statistics released show a 20.4 per cent increase in assault, what residents are not told of is the breakdown of the statistics.
Assaults in prisons increased by 26.5 per cent, family violence assaults increased by 31.3 per cent, shop related assaults increased by 22 per cent and residential assaults where parties are known to each other increased by 24 per cent.
“Theft from motor cars continues to rise and we could also blame the population growth but I believe we can tackle this issue,” Insp Weatherly said.
“Local police have run proactive operations around railway stations over the past 12 months and dropped pamphlets off regarding taking valuables out of cars when you leave. The message doesn’t seem to be getting through and the amount of thefts involving the thefts of GPS and computers etc is amazing.”
