By Vanessa Chircop
OVERALL crime in Hobsons Bay dropped by 10.1 per cent in 2010 when compared with 2009.
According to the latest statistics released by Victoria Police, 6207 crimes were committed in 2010 compared to 6902 in 2009.
The recorded crime statistics compare the 12 months to January 2011 with the 12 months to January 2010.
Across the state the crime rate has fallen by 6.9 per cent – with the overall crime rate in Victoria dropping by 32.4 per cent since 2000/2001, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population.
Hobsons Bay Inspector Bill Mathers told Star the results represented the great work police officers have been doing in the municipality.
“The most pleasing thing is that it’s a 10 per cent drop on previous drops,” he said.
Despite overall crime being down, in Hobsons Bay crimes against the person increased by 4.3 per cent and drug offences increased by 13.6 per cent.
Insp Mathers said the increase in drug related offences is due to the extra work police have been doing to tackle drug problems in Hobsons Bay.
“They indicate we’re doing something about driving the drug culture out of Hobsons Bay,” he said.
Robbery and Assault also saw an increase of more than six per cent but residential burglary dropped by a staggering 28.4 per cent.
Insp Mathers said the drop in residential burglary was particularly pleasing.
“We made this one of our priorities and have invested a great deal of time trying to apprehend offenders,” he said.
