MAP OF CITY CRIME
Full suburb-by-suburb breakdown of offending Crime rate down Historical win policing north
CRIME in Geelong has dropped by 4.3 per cent — the biggest fall in more than a decade.
Police say their operations and a community education blitz saw burglary drop 14.2 per cent and theft offences fall 23.1 per cent across the region, while the city’s often troubled north also saw significant reductions in some offences.
A CRACKDOWN on property crime across Greater Geelong has helped drive the crime rate down 4.3 per cent — the biggest drop in crime in more than a decade.
Police operations and a community education blitz saw burglary drop 14.2 per cent and theft offences fall 23.1 per cent in the year ending September, data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows.
Superintendent Craig Gillard said recent surveys showed the community was feeling safer and the confidence to report crimes was high, with 10 new police bound for Geelong in autumn.
“This tells me we are meeting the needs of the community but Victoria Police are always looking to be progressive and innovative to meet the challenges and issues that occur in our communities,” Supt Gillard said.
“We are about to gain an additional 10 staff in April/ May, which will allow us to expand our approach to community issues.”
Key drivers behind crime in the past year were drugs and alcohol with unemployment also providing a challenge for police and the community.
Social media, however, was of particular concern, Supt Gillard said.
“Intelligence also shows social media, messaging apps and buy, swap and sell websites have become popular tools to help communication between offender networks. They are also used to facilitate offline and face-to-face offending and are driving offending in family violence situations,” he said.
“If you are meeting someone for the first time, don’t invite them into your home; meet them in a common place.
“Let family or friends know you are meeting them. And if you have any concerns regarding their legitimacy, please contact police.”
There were 22,336 crimes reported in Greater Geelong in the year to September with most happening in the home.
And while property crimes reduced, violent crime rose, with increases in assaults, up 9.4 per cent, and sex offences, up 78.9 per cent.
Assaults on police are also at record high levels with 104 reported cases, up 26.8 per cent, while aggravated burglary rose with 199 incidents.
Graffiti offences more than doubled, up 107 per cent, with 168 charges, following targeted operations.
Supt Gillard said with increased staffing, police would place a focus on driving down assaults, family violence and road trauma.
“We will continue to maintain focus on high-volume crime and recidivism while ensuring our communities feel safe and supported,” he said.
A 78.9 per cent rise in sex offences was partially related to family violence, child pornography arrests and historical violence, Sgt Gillard said.
“Society is also experiencing a cultural shift in emphasising the harm and impact of sexual harassment,” he said.
“We are seeing a shift in culture where people do feel more confident and supported when coming forward and reporting a sexual offence.”
Police Minister Lisa Neville said in addition to the crime decrease, police custody officers working in the Geelong Police Station had freed up more than 6000 police shifts.
“While there is still a lot of work ahead to further reduce crime in our local community, I’d like to thank the police officers across Geelong who have been working tirelessly to keep people safe,” Ms Neville said.