By NICOLE VALICEK
POLICE statistics reveal that crime has risen by nearly 12 per cent in Hobsons Bay with notable jumps in assaults, vehicle crime and burglaries.
The Victoria Police statistics released last week compared the 12 months to March 2013 with the 12 months to March 2012. The total crime in Hobsons Bay rose by 11.5 per cent.
The figures show that in the last calendar year there were 630 assaults, up 16.5 per cent from 541 the previous year.
Hobsons Bay Police Inspector Robert Paterson said family violence incidents have contributed to the increase in assaults, but the majority of assaults in the city involved people who knew each other.
“As a result, over 80 per cent of these incidents result in the arrest of an offender,” Insp Paterson said.
There were 1032 reported theft from motor vehicles, a 15.2 per cent increase from 896 the previous year, while theft of motor vehicles increased by 44 per cent, jumping from 268 to 386.
Insp Paterson more than 40 offenders have been charged with vehicle crime during the past quarter.
This involves property being stolen from and damage to, cars mainly after dark.
Insp Paterson said the Crime Impact Team was focusing on repeat offenders and targeted operations to address these issues.
Residential burglaries jumped 14.5 per cent from 498 to 570, while “other” burglaries soared by 20 per cent from 190 to 228.
Insp Paterson said a spike in burglaries in late 2012 contributed to the increase of this offence, but as a result of targeted operations, burglaries have reduced substantially between February and April 2013.
“We will continue to mount proactive patrols with a view to reduce all crime and arrest offenders,” he said.
Assaults excluding family violence was up by 12.9 per cent from 350 to 395.
Crime against the person rose by 6.8 per cent and drug offences rose by from 239 to 252 an increase of 5.4 per cent.
Insp Paterson said road policing continues to be a priority.
Total injuries from collisions decreased during the quarter with nearly half of all collisions in Hobsons Bay involving vehicles travelling in the same direction or colliding at intersections.
“Police will be focusing on speed, drink and drug driving, hoon driving and distraction offences to make the roads safer for all users,” he said.
