Family violence drives up assault statistics

The statistics, released by the Crime Statistics Agency for the 12 month period from July 2015 to end of June 2016, revealed a 19 per cent increase in assault offences which police attribute to increased family violence incidents.

Baw Baw police services area inspector Chris Major admitted there was ongoing concern at the continued increase in assaults.

He said more than half of assault crimes (808 in the 12 month period) were family violence incidents.

Mr Major said family violence continued to be the biggest driver of assault crimes.

“I encourage people living in a relationship of fear and violence to break the cycle, we can help them change their life.

He said Baw Baw’s management of recidivist family violence offenders was very good. “Once they breach an order they are brought into custody, remanded and put before the courts,” he said.

Mr Major said assaults in public places had decreased, which was largely due to the success of the Baw Baw Liquor Accord.

“It is a very effective means in reducing assaults in and around licensed premises and supports the police drive to have a safe public place,” he said.

Overall, crime in the Baw Baw police services area was 4083 offences for the period, compared to 7712 in Cardinia, 14,165 for Latrobe and 4388 for the Bass Coast police service area which includes South Gippsland and Bass Coast municipalities.

“Crime is still creeping up and we encourage people to report suspicious behaviour and be diligent.

“There is an upward trend across the state. Our figures are taken off a low base of crime so the percentage increases are more dramatic because of that low base.

“In comparison to other areas Baw Baw is still a very safe place.

“The trend is indicative of a number of factors, particularly hard times financially and people experiencing drug addiction.

Statistics for drug offences indicated a significant shift in past figures with a 45 per cent drop in cultivation and manufacture offences and 12.8 per cent decrease in drug dealing and trafficking.

Charges for using and possessing drugs continued to increase, with a 35.8 per cent drop for the period.

Mr Major said more and more people were being detected for drug use, particularly when intercepted in vehicles parked on the side of roads late at night.

“We will continue to focus on the illicit use of drugs as well as the cultivation and manufacture of drugs.

“But we encourage anyone who has a drug addition to seek help,” he said.

In property crime, statistics for burglary and theft offences increased significantly by 40.5 per cent and 38.5 per cent respectively.

Other statistics showed arson offences increased 16.2 per cent while property damage increased 9.9 per cent.

Mr Major said a major impact on the theft statistics was the thefts of registration plates and petrol drive offs which had spiked in recent months.

“It’s systematic of people experiencing financial times or a drug addiction,” he said.

Mr Major said the increased number of burglaries was largely represented by burglaries on commercial premises.

However, he said the majority of these crimes were committed by transient offenders coming into the region, committing the crimes and leaving.

A 43 per cent increase in sex offences was recorded, which Mr Major said was largely historic offences and investigations that had been finalised by police.