Crime across Hume and Whittlesea increased in the 12 months to December, as police continue to urge residents to lock their houses and cars.
Theft from a motor vehicle was up in Hume, from 1722 reported incidents to 1983, making it the most prominent sub group of crime in the last 12 months.
In Whittlesea, breaching of a family violence order was the highest ranked sub group, with 1649 offences recorded, up from 1421 in the previous year.
According to Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data, Hume recorded 18,342 offences in the year to December 30, a slight 0.9 per cent increase from the year prior.
In Whittlesea, the increase in recorded offences was higher at 5.8 per cent, jumping from 12,477 to 13,199.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the figures show some positive signs.
“When population growth is considered, overall crime in Hume has actually dropped by two percent in the last year,” said the spokesperson.
“Residential break-ins in Hume have also dropped by three percent in the last year.
“Overall crime in Whittlesea is at its third lowest in a decade, it has also dropped by 19.8 per cent since pre-pandemic.
“Recorded residential break-in offences across Whittlesea have increased by around 100 in the last year.
“What we’re hearing from offenders is that they try multiple properties and break into the first unlocked home to steal car keys.
“While police work 24/7 to detect and deter crime, we are also calling on the community to play their part and lock their properties and cars.”
In Whittlesea, Epping was the suburb with the highest number of offences recorded with 3057, a significant increase from 2694 offences the year prior.
Behind Epping was Thomastown with 1958 offences, Mill Park with 1664, Lalor with 1202, and Bundoora with 1096.
In Hume, Craigieburn recorded the most offences with 3278, up from 3213 last year.
Sliding to second was Broadmeadows with 3243, a decrease in offences from the previous year’s total of 3259. Sunbury has 2397 offences, Campbellfield had 1337, and Roxburgh Park had 1205.
The state average of offence rate per 100,000 people was 7698.2, compared to 7030.8 in Hume, marking a third consecutive year of sitting below the average rate. In Whittlesea the rate was 5395.8.
Gerald Lynch
