Acting Detective Senior Sergeant, second right, John Clark with some of team at Hobsons Bay CIU. 84787 Picture: VANESSA CHIRCOP
By VANESSA CHIRCOP
IF you’ve ever been a victim of a crime like theft, burglary or assault then chances are you’ve dealt with the team at the Hobsons Bay Crime Investigation Unit.
Headed up by Acting Detective Senior Sergeant John Clark, there is no such thing as a boring week for this team.
“We certainly have a busy work environment, however our crime in Hobsons Bay is relatively low, particularly for western Melbourne,” Det Sgt Clark said.
“An average week for the members here is certainly busy – they certainly have a lot of work to do, working on a number of complex investigations which are quite timely.”
Det Sgt Clark said as times change so do the types of crimes with more computer crimes coming across their desk.
“With the modern age of computer and deception type offences obviously they’re not seen so much in the public but they are there,” he said.
Last week the team was busy investigating the bashing of a 61-year-old Altona woman which left the entire Hobsons Bay community in shock.
Thankfully these types of violent crimes are not common in Hobsons Bay.
“The main issues we generally deal with here are the volume crime offences – so the residential and commercial burglaries and the vehicle theft and theft from vehicles,” Det Sgt Clark said.
“Obviously any serious assaults we also deal with and robberies.”
Det Sgt Clark said catching offenders is a strong focus for the team but their main focus is to reduce the crime.
