By VANESSA VALENZUELA
DRUG offences in Brimbank continue to rise, the latest crime statistics have revealed.
According to Victoria Police figures, a total of 1071 drug offences were recorded in Brimbank between October 2011 and September 2012 – up from 691 offences in October 2010 and September 2011.
Overall crime has increased by 8.2 per cent with a total of 17,891 crimes committed in the municipality, and assaults have spiked by 21.9 per cent with 1778 offences recorded.
Brimbank’s Acting Inspector Chris Gilbert said the rise in drug crimes will always be linked to other offences, increasing the total amount of crimes committed in the area.
“This has been driven by arrests and supported through broader, regional initiatives. Operations to close down drug crop houses are an example,” he said.
Property damage has increased by 6.3 per cent and theft from motor vehicles jumped by 4.9 per cent with 2757 thefts in Brimbank.
But robberies have dropped by 14.2 per cent, residential burglaries decreased by 12.2 per cent and thefts of motor vehicles have slightly declined with only a 0.7 per cent drop.
Act Insp Gilbert said a vehicle crime team would be the next program implemented in the area to target recidivist offenders they believe are responsible for the bulk of the crimes.
He said police would also focus on public order and reducing assaults in Brimbank.
“The Safer Communities Task Force was established in late July to work in high activity centres such as Watergardens and the Sunshine and St Albans CBDs,” Act Insp Gilbert said.
“We now expect that enforcement and crime prevention effort to drive the volume and nature of crimes down in those centres. The upcoming arrival of our first PSO’s will complement that work.”
Act Insp Gilbert encouraged residents to positively influence the driving behaviours of family, friends and colleagues during the Christmas period.
“In October I called for a fatality-free end to the year and then through all of 2013. That would be a great result for this community and something we must strive for.”
