Brimbank’s top cop has welcomed new crime figures released on Wednesday, which show a reduction in assaults and a variety of property crimes.
Despite overall crime rising by 2.5 per cent between March 2013 quarter and the March 2014 quarter, Victoria Police statistics reveal a 23.5 per cent drop in car thefts, a 13.7 per cent decrease in residential burglaries, an 8.4 per cent dip in assaults, excluding family violence, and 7.1 per cent drop in property damage.
On the flip side, there was a 9 per cent increase in drug offences.
Brimbank police Inspector Chris Gilbert was pleased with the results.
He attributed dedicated patrols and the new Safer Communities Task Force, which covers busy central activity districts, for keeping the streets safer.
“Whilst these statistics are all very positive in terms of where Brimbank is heading, our focus is on driving further improvement,” he said.
“Family violence is the most troubling of all crimes we deal with.
“This is a national problem, has no easily defined boundaries and requires a whole-of-community response for us to see sustained reductions.
“Your family violence team is on the ground within hours of incidents being reported to help affected parties find a way forward to manage relationships under pressure.
“I hope to see these incidents decrease as more people, particularly men, seek alternatives to settle their differences.”
Inspector Gilbert said thefts from vehicles, while down, were still too high and easily preventable.
He called on drivers to consider simple and cheap options, such as one-way screws for number plates; locking cars; and removing valuables to prevent opportunistic thefts.
