WYNDHAM’S police chief does not plan an “all-out assault against assaults” despite three major attacks in Werribee in less than two weeks.
“We’ve seen a slight increase, but it’s not to the point where I’m alarmed,” Inspector Shane Dowling said.
In the year to July 2006, the Wyndham police recorded nearly 500 assault cases, down about nine per cent from the previous year.
He said assaults were up about two per cent from the same time last year.
“I’ll be very happy if we can just maintain the levels we had last year given the area’s rapid population growth.”
Insp Dowling said the three recent assaults were unrelated and it was coincidence that they occurred within a short period.
A 34-year-old Pascoe Vale man remains on life support after a vicious attack on 3 October at about 9pm.
He was savagely beaten in the underpass of the Werribee train station before passers-by found him unconscious.
About a week later, a Werribee taxi driver was assaulted by five teenagers while driving them along Ballan Rd.
The 8 October attack occurred after a dispute developed between the driver and passengers.
The teenagers punched the driver in the head before smashing the windows of his taxi and fleeing.
Three days later, a Werribee teenager was punched in the face and kicked by two men while being robbed of his wallet, mobile phone and Ipod.
The 17-year-old was walking along Anderson St, Werribee shortly after midnight on 11 October.
He suffered facial injuries and a broken nose.
Anyone with information about any of these crimes is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
