CRIME WAVE: MURDERS UP, BURGS UP, AND ... 9147 THEFTS
THEFT in Greater Geelong has risen by almost 40 per cent in a year to 9147 cases, new figures show.
They also show the region’s overall crime rate has gone up by 21.5 per cent, with abductions, homicide and burglaries on the list of rising offences.
The Crime Statistics Agency figures have prompted some residents to call for an urgent increase in the number of police, and Police Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville is under preassure to solve the crime crisis.
South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said there had been a “lack of investment over the last two years” in police resources.
Ms Neville vowed to give police the resources they needed to “turn this crime trend around”. While the state’s burglary rate rose 12.6 per cent, Greater Geelong saw more than triple that figure, up 37.5 per cent with 3108 reports in the year to June 2016 when compared to the previous 12 months.
Homicide was up 50 per cent with six cases, abduction rose 39.1 per cent with 32 cases, and thefts was up 36.7 per cent with 9147 cases.
THE number of thefts and abductions in Greater Geelong have risen almost 40 per cent in a year, new figures show.
They also show the region’s overall crime rate has gone up by 21.5 per cent, with burglaries and robbaries high on the list of rising offences.
The Crime Statistics Agency figures have prompted some residents to call for an urgent increase in the number of police, and Police Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville is under preassure to solve the crime crisis.
While the state’s burglary rate rose 12.6 per cent, Greater Geelong saw more than triple that figure, up 37.5 per cent with 3108 reports in the year to June 2016 when compared to the previous 12 months.
Homicide was up 50 per cent with six cases, abduction rose 39.1 per cent with 32 cases, and the number of thefts was up 36.7 per cent with 9147 cases.
But some crimes dropped — sex offences were down 10.2 per cent, disorderly conduct down 26.3 per cent and blackmail down 28.6 per cent.
South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said the lack of police resources was causing local stations to close front doors when staff took sick days.
“You’d expect some volatility over periods of time but they’re increasing more and more every time the statistics come out. It’s critical in regards to Waurn Ponds and Torquay police stations where the nearby 3216 postcode is up 21.3 per cent in terms of crime,” Mr Katos said.
“It’s clearly a lack of investment over the last two years in regard to additional police resources.”
Superintendent Craig Gillard said much was being done behind the scenes to help combat the rise in crime rates.
Supt Gillard said significant arrests had been made in recent weeks, which would have a flow on affect in terms of crime reduction.
A whole range of initiatives were being designed for the future, including bolstering the city’s High Volume Crime Team to help tackle burglaries and car thefts in particular, he said.
“We’ve settled on our focuses for the next six months and high volume crime is right at the top. As a city we’ve got more work to do but residents can rest assured we’re looking at our processes to address this the best we can,” he said.
“The community will see an increase in a visible police presence in coming weeks and enhanced community engagement. We will also be holding community forums to outline our approach to those interested and get feedback from these people to understand what needs they have.
“I think the Greater Geelong area is inherently a safe place and, while there’s some instances of violence that directly impacts people, it’s not the norm.”
Police minister Lisa Neville vowed to give police the resources they needed to “turn this crime trend around”.
“We’ve had assurance from the Chief Commissioner of the extra 300 police funded in this budget that officers will be going to Geelong,” she said.
Ms Neville said 7 per cent of the rise could be attributed to one offender arrested and charged with over 1200 offences of theft and tax fraud.
“There is a cohort of serious offenders in Geelong, which local police are addressing every day. The community can be assured that everything is being done to keep residents safe from crime,” Ms Neville said.
“Using intelligence-based operations, police in Geelong have arrested more people than ever.”