Gerald Lynch
Theft has risen in Brimbank as overall offence figures recorded a slight jump, according to new data released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
Recorded criminal offences increased by 2.5 per cent across Brimbank, with 324 more offences recorded in the 12 months to June 2024, compared to the previous 12 months, for a total of 17,551 criminal offences.
The suburbs of St Albans (3526 offences recorded) and Sunshine (3243 offences recorded) remain the top two hot spots for crime within the municipality.
Sunshine North had a strong increase in offences recorded, jumping up by 184 offences from 1297 to 1481 in the 12 months to June.
The data revealed that stealing from a motor vehicle (2430 offences recorded), and other theft (1627 offences recorded) remain the top two offences in Brimbank.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of regional operations Chris Gilbert said the increase in car theft can in part be attributed to unlocked cars, and urged the community to be as careful as possible.
“Police continue to see far too many properties burgled and cars stolen due to unlocked doors and windows, so we urge the community to take simple measures such as checking your home and car is locked before heading to bed,” he said.
“Victoria’s four fastest growing crimes are all related to opportunistic offending – theft from motor vehicles, retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and the theft of other items such as petrol.”
Mr Gilbert said theft is a major focus for police, and they are working tirelessly to reduce offences.
“We understand many in the community are anxious about the increasing prevalence of intruders entering homes,” he said.
“Your home should be your castle, and this is why 70 additional frontline police, Dog Squad members, Highway Patrol officers, and the Public Order Response Team continue to swarm Melbourne’s suburbs every single night – specifically targeting burglars and car thieves as the Air Wing watches from above.”
Across Victoria, there were 552,228 criminal offences recorded in the 12 months to June 2024, an increase of 46,014 offences or 9.1 per cent from the previous 12 months.
