Recorded criminal offences have increased by 2.9 per cent across Brimbank in the 12 months to March, according to new data from the Crime Statistics Agency.
Brimbank recorded 492 more offences in the 12 months to March 2023 compared to the previous 12 months, with a total of 17,310 criminal offences.
Brimbank Local Area Commander Inspector Trevor King said police are well resourced to provide a dedicated, 24-7 response to the Brimbank community.
“While the Brimbank area has experienced an increase in crime over the last year, crime remains below pre-COVID levels with a 14 per cent decrease when compared with the year ending March 2020,” he said.
There was a decrease in offences in St Albans, but it still remained the top spot for offences in the municipality. Stealing from a motor vehicle was the top offence in Brimbank.
Inspector King said that while the areas of burglaries and thefts have decreased in Brimbank, police are focused on making sure this remains the case.
“Police will continue to patrol the community every night, recover stolen vehicles and arrest offenders. We also implore the community to take some simple measures to help prevent their vehicle from being stolen or broken into,” he said.
“Simple home security measures such as locking all doors and windows to your home and car can go a long way to preventing your car from being stolen or home broken into.”
Brimbank recorded a 2.4 per cent increase in family violence incidences, however Inspector King said this increase can also be linked to the community’s growing confidence in reporting these crimes to police.
“The issue of family violence will continue to be a major priority for Brimbank police – no one should ever have to feel unsafe in their own home,” he said.
“This is why our local police, including detectives from the family violence investigation unit, are out every day and knocking on doors of offenders to ensure they know they are being monitored and reassuring victims that they are supported across the Brimbank area.”
