Police battle street assaults
WONTHAGGI Police have seen a rise in street assaults over the past 12 months.
Targeted patrols will be conducted in problem areas to increase police presence, particularly on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.
Family violence or violence within the home remains a big issue and contributes to the 16.3 per cent increase in assaults.
Wonthaggi Police Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Morison said the increase did not necessarily mean an increase in violence, just that more people are choosing to report incidents and police are quick to respond.
Crime rates have increased by 1.2 per cent across the state, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population, according to Victoria Police’s latest crime rate publication.
Property damage undergoes regular increases. Wonthaggi suffered through a spate of thefts from cars over a six to eight week period last year, which directly correlated with property damage, and raised the figures.
“Make sure to lock your cars and be particularly mindful of leaving items in unlocked cars in driveways,” Sgt Morison said.
Police are pleased to see a deduction in burglaries. Although thefts from cars were increasing, home burglaries and theft of vehicles are down by 37.1 per cent.
Drug offences are on the rise as they are becoming easier to identify.
“The drug offence rate has increased largely due to the good work of our pit crews and our ability to target the offence,” Sgt Morison said.
Wonthaggi Police inspector Graeme Sprague said the significant increase in drug offences reflected the proactive focus by police, resulting in a number of arrests and seizure of drugs.
Injuries and accidents are up by 4.7 per cent.
“Fatal and serious injury collisions have an enormous impact on any community,” Inspector Sprague said.
“So I ask that you continue to support our road trauma reduction efforts through safe driving and pedestrian activity, together with the reporting of hoon drivers through the Crime Stoppers Hotline.”
Combating crime rates: Wonthaggi Police Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Morison has determined more patrols are necessary to stop street assaults.
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