Crime hits record levels

by Emma Ballingall
Crime across the Baw Baw police region has hit record levels despite a decrease in Drouin's crime rate and family violence offences.
While the 11.9 per cent increase was half of that experienced last year, Baw Baw police services area acting inspector Paula Linford said it was always disappointing to see any rise in crime.
Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) figures showed 5817 recorded offences across the region in the 12 months to September, the highest in the past decade.
Acting insp Linford said the rise coincided with population growth, noting "with that comes, unfortunately, the undesirable element."
A decrease in Drouin's crime rate was credited to the town's police station currently being "fully staffed" and proactive patrolling of businesses.
CSA showed 1196 offences in Drouin in the 12-month period. Having set a 10-year high of 1397 offences the previous year, this latest figure represents a 14 per cent decrease.
Working with business owners following a trend of criminal damage, acting insp Linford said police had patrolled at targeted days and times. "We have been able to make sure we're doing all the proactive work and helping the community in Drouin," she said.
"We're out there being proactive to help reduce the chance of offences and arrest offenders."
Drouin's crime statistics were similar to that of a decade ago, with 1151 offences recorded in 2016.
However, in that time, crime in Warragul has risen 70 per cent, from 1569 offences in 2016 to 2677 in the latest data. Trafalgar, Longwarry and Yarragon also experienced increases.
Acting insp Linford said Warragul offered larger shopping districts and a centralised destination. With that, comes offending, she said.
A welcome statistic was a 6.3 per cent decrease in family violence offences.
However, acting insp Linford said the 1257 offences, down from 1341 last year, still represented a massive impact on the community, especially young residents.
“It has a big impact on children,” she said. “We need to make sure we are supporting our affected family members, and we are giving them the support they need to deal with whatever is going on at home.”
She believed figures indicated a rise in community confidence to report offences to police, but acknowledged others weren’t yet ready to come forward.
“If we don’t know it’s happening, we can’t help these people,” acting insp Linford said.
Breach of family violence orders remained the top offence in the region, and the 885 offences in the 12-month period were above the Victorian rate per 100,000 population. However, breaches dropped six per cent on the previous year.
Other most common offences included theft from vehicles, criminal damage and “other theft”.
“(Thefts of) number plates are our biggest issue, and thefts from vehicles that are being left unlocked,” acting insp Linford said. “We should be able to (leave them unlocked), but we just can’t.”
Police have proactively held “safe plate” days, where vehicle owners can have anti-theft screws installed on registration plates to reduce likelihood of theft.
Acting insp Linford said police also had conducted targeted operations at train stations and the West Gippsland Hospital to encourage commuters and staff to install one-way screws.
She explained the “other theft” data included a range of theft crimes including fuel theft.
“As pressure increases on cost of living, unfortunately, fuel is something that’s targeted,” acting insp Linford said.
Whilst not in the top offences, residential burglary and vehicle theft figures continue to concern police.
Acting insp Linford described a majority of the 53 aggravated burglaries and 125 burglaries as “sneak in type offences”, where a back door was left unlocked or a key located.
“They sneak in, steal car keys and steal your car at the same time,” she said.
This contributed to the 206 vehicles stolen across the region in the past 12 months.
However, acting insp Linford highlighted Baw Baw’s good aggravated burglary arrest rate, currently sitting at about 35 per cent.
She indicated many aggravated burglary offenders travel from south-east metropolitan areas or the Latrobe Valley.
“We are a target rich area,” acting insp Linford explained. “We have nice things.”
To reduce likelihood of becoming the next victim, her top tip was to lock all doors.
Before going to bed, she said all residents should secure the house, including laundry door, back door and personal access door between the garage and house.
“If we can get the community on board to help us by doing these things, that will assist,” acting insp Linford said.
“If it’s hard for them (offenders) to break in, they are not going to do it. “If you put the barriers in place, they might check the door but leave and go somewhere else.”
Many residents have opted to install CCTV, which proved highly helpful for local police.
“I can only encourage people to put CCTV in,” acting insp Linford said. “It does significantly help in identifying who the offenders are.”
Such footage also is regularly shared across Victoria, resulting in identification and arrests.
“The intelligence side of just being able to have the CCTV and being able to share it across our policing community is great,” she said.
Baw Baw police also have embraced social media, more regularly sharing targeted messaging and seeking information via its “Eyewatch - Baw Baw” page on Facebook. In return, the community were providing tips and positive comments.
“In general, the community seem to be very supportive of us and happy to provide information,” acting insp Linford said. “Without the community’s assistance, sometimes we can’t solve crimes.”
“On the whole, we are a very safe part of the world to live in. It’s a lovely area.”
“We can’t thank the community enough for all the help that they give us.”