Crime takes a nosedive

POLICE have significantly reduced road fatalities and serious injuries in the Shire of Yarra Ranges during the last 12 months, according to the latest crime statistics.
Overall crime has also dropped since this time last year, with a significant decrease in drug offences, property damage, crime against property and theft of motor vehicles.
Figures available on Victoria Police’s My Place website also showed a steady decline in crime in Cardinia Shire across most of the 14 categories.
The statistics showed a 53.9 per cent drop in Yarra Ranges road fatalities, from 10.2 recorded between July 2008 and June 2009 to 4.7 between July last year and June. Serious injuries have decreased by 18.6 per cent, with 31.4 fewer fatalities this year than the year before.
Yarra Ranges acting inspector Debra Robertson said police were pleased with the results and would continue their focus on the area.
“Local police will pay particular attention to driver behaviour specifically speed, alcohol, seatbelt offences and mobile phone use, which will be supported by many targeted operations,” she said.
Police recorded 109.5 drug offences in the 12 months prior to September – 34.5 fewer cases than the previous 12 months.
But there were almost 60 more cases of crime against the person, and the category for ‘other crime’ increased by 19 per cent.
“We acknowledge there is more work to be done in this area of policing,” she said.
Police will continue to focus on public order operations, including proactive policing in public places.
Ms Robertson said a 20 per cent rise in assaults, from 309.7 between October 2008 and September last year to 372 in the 12 months to September this year, stemmed from an increase in charges laid from police attendance at family violence incidents.
Robberies increased from 16.3 cases to 22.8 cases and residential burglaries increased by 10 cases.
“It is acknowledged that robberies will also require a concerted effort by our officers and support by youth resource officers, crime prevention staff, our Crime Tasking Unit and importantly community support such as Neighbourhood Watch,” Ms Robertson said.
In the Cardinia Shire, police reported a reduction in all crimes except for crimes against the person, which saw a 7.2 increase, drug offences, which rose just over two per cent, car thefts, which rose almost 7 per cent; and residential burglaries, which saw the biggest rise of 12.8 per cent.
Roads across the region were significantly safer, with the number of fatalities and serious injuries falling compared to recent years. Cardinia Inspector Wayne Viney said police had partnered with Cardinia Shire Council to see a reduction in graffiti and property damage.
“Strategies such as graffiti removal, targeted patrols and appropriate environmental design have seen a 21.9 per cent reduction of offences being committed,” he said.
“There have also been some significant arrests of repeat offenders who are currently on bail and will be brought before the courts in the near future.”
Insp Viney reminded residents to help combat residential burglars by keeping homes secure and ringing triple zero to report suspicious behaviour.