Fresh strategies and focus on volume offences pay off

A SUBSTANTIAL dip in home break-ins and thefts across one of the city’s northern suburbs has seen a 15 per cent drop in crime.

While Norlane was not immune to the region’s rising assault rate, the largely low socio-economic base did experience dramatic declines in robbery, down 53.3 per cent, and weapons offences, down 42.6 per cent, in the year ending September.

Theft also fell 35.1 per cent and arson was down 36.7 per cent.

Superintendent Craig Gillard said the results had been achieved through a range of initiatives and strategies implemented alongside considerable hard work by police.

“We have focused strongly on high-volume crime, which has probably the greatest impact on the residents of our community and returned some positive results,” Supt Gillard said.

“Our ‘Protect/Prevent’ trial using traceable liquid synthetic DNA technology to reduce burglaries in the Norlane area continues and has shown promising results.

“This strategy, coupled with a continuing focus on targeting known recidivist offenders, has led to these current reductions which means we are seeing less victims of crime, greater perceptions of public safety and a safer Geelong.”

Our safest suburbs were Drumcondra, Indented Head and Wandana Heights.

Geelong and Corio recorded the highest levels of crimes, being the top two