POLICE SLASH CRIME

FAMILY VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO RISE BUT ...

GEELONG’S burglary rate has dropped to a 10-year low as police continue to make significant inroads in curbing high-harm and high-volume crime.

New Crime Statistics Agency data released yesterday revealed a 6.1 per cent drop in the region’s overall offence rate in the year to June 30.

Geelong’s specialist highvolume crime unit recorded significant success reeling in repeat offenders, leading to a 19.3 per cent drop in residential aggravated burglaries, a 25.1 per cent decline in nonaggravated burglary rate and an 18.6 per cent dip in motor vehicle theft.

Crimes against the person, which police previously had difficulty curbing, dropped 44.3 per cent per 100,000 population.

This was largely driven by a 34.5 per cent drop is sexual assault offences.

However, serious assaults including family violence related assaults, rose more than 7 per cent.

Geelong Inspector Bruce Thomas said a strong and multifaceted policing approach had helped officers continue to drive down crime.

“High-volume crime has been a good news story for a little while now,” Insp Thomas said. “Burglary is down 20 per cent on last year and we have the best burglary figures for 10 years which is very pleasing.”

But, Insp Thomas said curbing family violence remained one of the biggest challenges.

Data revealed increases in family violence related common and serious assaults as well as a rise in threatening behaviour linked to family violence.

“Family violence is always a challenge but we have made some big inroads over the past 10 years,” Insp Thomas said.

“Geelong now has a dedicated family violence unit which is an excellent move forward and means that we can give greater service to victims and better prosecute recidivist family violence offenders.”

Inspector Thomas said police remained concerned by the increasing number of alcohol and drug-fuelled assaults across the region.

“Assaults are flagging with an increase so we are analysing why this has occurred and the normal reasons behind assault are always present,” Insp Thomas said. “Alcohol and drugs are the main drivers.”

Statewide data revealed an increase in unique alleged offender incidences which showed that one in every 78 Victorians were accused of committing a crime.

But, Inspector Thomas said locally police were still largely dealing with hard-core repeat offenders who committed a number offences.