By NATALIE GALLENTI
THE City of Melton has seen a reduction in robberies, thefts from motor vehicles and residential burglaries in the latest Victoria Police crime statistics.
In what can only be described as a win for police, the data, which compares the last 12 months to March 2013 with the 12 months to March 2012, reveals robberies have dropped by 11.8 per cent while residential burglaries fell by 9.2 per cent and theft from motor vehicles decreased by 12.7 per cent.
Melton Police Inspector Stephen Mutton said with the introduction of a specialised burglary unit within the Melton Criminal Investigation Unit, residential burglaries had decreased but the area was still experiencing a rise in other burglaries like commercial/shop premises, garage and sheds, and new houses under construction where thieves were stealing white goods, bathroom and laundry fittings, copper piping and building materials.
Overall crime increased by 7.6 per cent in the past year, with 8443 crimes recorded between April 2012 and March 2013.
The most common crime was against the person with 1442 offences recorded, revealing a massive 14.1 per cent spike. Assault increased by 15.2 per cent while property damage jumped by 11.5 per cent.
Insp Mutton said the area is experiencing a significant increase in property damage in and around Caroline Springs township involving indiscriminate damage to stationary cars and other property. He said police continue to conduct targeted patrols in identified hot spot areas in order to curb the trend.
“With the implementation of a Vehicle Crime Task Force, there has been a specific focus on targeting recidivist car thieves and particular hot spots within the PSA,” Insp Mutton said.
“This has resulted in a significant decrease in theft from motor vehicles however there has been a slight increase in theft of motor vehicles. The majority of offences occur in residential areas, predominantly in people’s drive-ways or out the front of their homes. Complacency has made it very easy for thieve to access vehicles and property.”
Insp Mutton said the Melton Family Violence Unit was continuing to assist victims and ensure appropriate referrals and assistance had been implemented. He also said safety committees had been established at high-risk community locations, including the Woodgrove Shipping Centre and at the Melton Railway Station.
Across Victoria family violence related crime continued to drive up overall statistics, along with drug offences and behaviour in public office also a concern. The total number of offences recorded is up by 5.6 per cent.
