Violence reports on the rise

FAMILY violence reports in the Yarra Ranges have followed the state-wide trend with almost 700 assault offences recorded last year.
The number is 130 more than the previous year, but police attribute the increase to the confidence people have in reporting incidents rather than an increase in violence.
The latest annual crime statistics have been released by Victoria Police comparing the 12 months from January to December 2011 with the 12 months from January to December in 2012.
Assaults have risen by 23 per cent, an increase from 566 in 2011 to 696 in 2012.
Comparatively assault excluding family violence has decreased by 0.7 per cent.
Yarra Ranges Acting Inspector Ian Milner said his Youth Resource, Crime Prevention and Family Violence Liaison Officers continued to develop important partnerships with local government and community support agencies also designed at improving community safety.
“This confidence is apparent through the continued increased reporting of incidents of family violence,” he said.
“We are currently working closely with the Yarra Ranges Shire Council and other community partners to identify and implement crime prevention strategies designed to improve and maintain a safe and confident community.
“We have seen a reduction in non-family violence assaults and property damage offences for the reporting period which is a direct result of the good work being carried out.”
Act Insp Milner said there were concerning results in burglary and theft of motor car statistics over the 12 month period but there were positive results in arrest rates for burglaries, which would continue to be a focus of the pro-active policing unit, Crime Investigation Unit and general duties members.
Residential burglary had increased by more than 50 per cent between the two years, and other burglaries had increased by 12 per cent.
There were 356 residential burglaries in 2011 compared to 545 in 2012.
Road policing targeting road trauma continues to be a priority for the Yarra Ranges police, according to Act Insp Milner.
He said a number of innovative strategies designed at reducing fatalities and serious injury collisions have been implemented, some of which including covert operations on the Black Spur have featured recently in the media.
“We continue to conduct numerous high visibility operations,” he said.
“It is pleasing to see a reduction in serious injury collisions across the Yarra Ranges proving these methods are achieving the desired results.”
The Yarra Ranges community can stay informed on police news and issues in the Yarra Ranges through the Eyewatch Yarra Ranges Police Facebook page, which also allows for the opportunity to interact with local police.