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Tuesday, 2 July, 2024
A Star News Group Publication
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Crime statistics for this year have displayed the rise of theft, family violence and youth crimes.
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Crime on the rise By Tanya Steele Property-related crimes have driven up crime across Victoria this year and overall crime is up across the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley according to the latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA). Repeat offenders, property theft, family violence and youth crime remain a priority for Victoria Police after the recent release with cost of living being floated as partly responsible for the rise. Criminal incidents in Casey were up by 13.3 per cent, Cardinia 10.7 per cent, Knox by 8.3
per cent, Maroondah by five per cent and the Yarra Ranges by 2.1 per cent since last year. The top categories in crime for these areas all included breaches of family violence orders, criminal damages, motor vehicle, retail and other thefts in varying orders while across Victoria theft and criminal damages took out the top five. Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Brett Curran said while family violence and child and youth crime remain significant concerns, it’s pleasing that almost three years since the final Victorian coronavirus restriction was lifted, our crime rate remains 6.2
per cent below pre-pandemic levels. “Police intelligence from Operation Trinity also indicates the top 20 burglars and car thieves in Melbourne have committed almost one fifth of all burglaries where a car was stolen over the past year. A spokesperson from police media has said repeat offenders account for over two-thirds of the state’s total crimes. “This is particularly relevant for offences such as home burglaries and theft,” they said. “While overall crime has gradually increased since Victoria emerged from the pan-
demic, offending has still not reached prepandemic levels.” CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said there has been a 17 per cent increase in theft offences in Victoria recorded in the last 12 months. “This rapid increase in crimes involving the acquisition of property may be related to cost of living pressures,” she said. “The increase in property-related crime was the largest contributor to the overall increase in crime in the last year.” CONTINUED PAGE 3
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