COAST CRIME RATES JUMP

CRIME in the Surf Coast increased by more than 5 per cent last year.

New Crime Statistics Agency data shows 1248 criminal offences were recorded in the Surf Coast region last year, up from 1186 the year prior.

The majority of offences occurred in the home (355), followed by on streets or footpaths (197).

Theft was the most commonly recorded crime with 166 offences, followed by criminal damage (132), theft from a motor vehicle (127) and breach of family violence intervention order (107).

Aggravated burglary fell from 72 offences in 2018 to 66.

Inspector Monique Leffanue said that while crime had risen in the Surf Coast the number of offences remained relatively low compared with other areas.

“Unfortunately, crime has gone up across the state, and the Surf Coast is no exception,” Insp Leffanue said. “The main drivers are population growth, the introduction of the police assistance line giving members of the community easy access to report crimes and the increase in justice procedures.”

Breach of family violence order offence rates were the highest recorded in the Surf Coast since CSA data began.

Insp Leffanue said family violence was “absolutely” a major concern that police were now more focused on stopping than ever before.

“We now have a family violence unit that covers both the Surf Coast and Geelong, specialising in family violence matters and focusing heavily on reducing family violence in n our community,” Insp Leffa- nue said.

Towns in the region to re- cord the most crime were Tor- quay (579), Winchelsea (143), ) Anglesea (127), Lorne (101) and Jan Juc (69).

Insp Leffanue attributed d Torquay’s higher offence ce count to a rising population on and bolstered police presence ce that had led to an increased detection of crime.

“Within the Surf Coast, Torquay is the highest however when you compare it to Geelong it is relatively low numbers,” Insp Leffanue.

“To combat the rising crime we have increased the police numbers at the Torquay police station, opened the police front counter to the public every day of the week and improved our response over the peak periods by dedicating a specialised summer safe taskforce to the coastal areas of the Surf Coast.”

Criminal damage rose from 98 offences in 2018 to 132 last year.

More police were assaulted in the Surf Coast last year with 13 incidents recorded compared to just one in 2017.

Insp Leffanue said residents could help curb crime by locking thier vehicles and homes.