A rise in street thefts has underpinned a 24.3 per cent increase in Brimbank robberies.
With the latest Victoria Police statistics for the year to September 30 showing a 7.1 per cent rise in total crime (from 17,902 incidents to 19,174), Inspector Chris Gilbert said a spike in street crimes went against recent reductions in other categories.
“Recent arrests and the identification of a number of other suspects provide confidence we will stem this rise and influence further reductions,” he said.
“We increased the numbers of detectives in Brimbank to enhance our response, placing as much emphasis on prevention and disruption as we do on response.”
Reports of theft from, and of, cars were down 9.9 and 8.6 per cent respectively.
Property damage reports also decreased 7.6 per cent (from 1730 to 1598).
Drug offences rose 15.7 per cent (1079 to 1248).
Mr Gilbert said that against a statewide rise in family violence, Brimbank’s modest 3.1 per cent increase was “encouraging”. He said police had reversed a trend of antisocial behaviour in Sunshine’s CBD.
