By JESSE GRAHAM
CRIME has dropped across the board in the Cardinia area and risen drastically in the Yarra Ranges, according to the latest policing statistics, with drugs remaining one of the biggest issues in both areas.
But the inspectors in both areas have attributed their results to a strong policing presence, with more people charged under key areas or deterred from crime in others.
On Monday 1 December, Victoria Police released its latest crime statistics, comparing the period of October 2013 to September 2014 with the previous year.
In Yarra Ranges, crime rates rose 17.3 per cent overall, with 7216 offences compared to 6151 during the period, while crime dropped by 4.8 per cent in Cardinia.
The largest policing areas in the Yarra Ranges were drug offences, which rose 22.4 per cent, family violence assaults, which rose by 14.5 per cent and theft from motor vehicles, which rose by 33.3 per cent between the time periods.
Cardinia’s Police Service Area saw statistics drop for almost every crime area, with the largest decreases recorded for non-residential burglaries (30.8 per cent) and theft from motor vehicles (24.4 per cent).
The only crime increase was for drug offences, which rose by 50 per cent with 363 offences, compared to 242 in the year before.
Yarra Ranges Inspector Peter Wheeler told the Mail that crime statistics are police-generated, meaning that the rise in statistics pointed to more people being charged for crimes, not necessarily that more crime was occurring.
This was echoed by Cardinia Inspector Shane Smith, who said the area’s significant rise in drug offences was due to more people being caught and charged.
“That comes mainly from police activity in the area – the more out and about we are, the more likely we are to come across drug offences,” Insp Smith said.
“While we can and should celebrate our successes, we need to be mindful of the challenges our community still faces, particularly in the areas of family violence and road trauma.”
Family violence rates dropped by 11.7 per cent in Cardinia between the two periods, which Insp Smith attributed to a pro-active police response and awareness-raising programs, as well as natural fluctuations in reporting.
“With the focus we have on family violence – there is a strong focus in our whole division – we expect to see some decrease in the long-term,” Insp Smith said.
“We’d like to see a long-term stable decrease (in statistics).”
Meanwhile, Insp Wheeler said the increase in family violence statistics in the Yarra Ranges was a result of people being more comfortable in reporting abuse and violence to the police.
“There’s not the same stigma attached to it – there’re not the same concerns that there won’t be any actions taken in response to their concerns,” Insp Wheeler said.
He said that police could be contacted about family violence before a crime was committed and that officers could then refer people on to agencies or help to resolve a situation before it turned violent.
Insp Wheeler urged people to not store valuables in their cars and to make sure they lock their doors, citing theft from motor vehicles as one of the most preventable crime statistics.
“It’s a crime of opportunity – a lot of offenders scour car parks and if they look in a vehicle and see a laptop, camera, mobile phone, wallet or loose change, the opportunity is there for them to break a window … and commit the theft,” he said.
“If that property wasn’t in the car to start with, there’s a higher chance that the person will walk past and continue on.”
Insp Smith said that Pakenham was the site of a new trial program, called Help Yourself, which provided tips for residents to protect theirs homes and vehicles from theft.
Both inspectors said police in their respective areas would be focusing on road safety policing as the holiday period draws closer, aiming to reduce the chance of fatalities and serious injuries on the roads.
As of Monday 8 December, the state-wide road toll stood at 240 – only two deaths less than the total 2013 road toll.
For more information on Help Yourself, visit www.helpyourself.vic.gov.au.
