Tara Murray
Criminal offences in Whittlesea and Hume jumped by more than 10 per cent in the 12 months to June according to new data.
The Crime Statistics Agency data revealed the number of offences across the state had increased by 10.7 per cent in that 12 month period.
In Whittlesea, criminal offences were up 15.8 per cent from 12,923 to 14,962, while in Hume offences increased by 10.4 per cent from 18,238 to 20,132 in the 12 months to June.
In Whittlesea, the house was number one location 5406 up nearly 500 on the previous quarter.
Offences were also up in the street, service station, shopping complex and other retail locations, which rounded up the top five locations for offences.
Epping recorded the most offences, with 3510 which was up from 2784 in the previous 12 months.
Thomastown, Mill Park, Lalor and Bundoora, which round out the top five suburbs, all had increases in the number of offences.
Breach of family violence order was the number one offence followed by other theft, stealing from a motor vehicle and criminal damage.
Family violence incidents increased by 9.5 per cent, up from 2637 to 2888
In Hume, most offences occurred in Craigieburn, with an increase of 516 up to 3710.
Broadmeadows dropped to second on the suburb list, with a decrease of 143 offences on the previous 12 months.
Sunbury, Campbellfield and Roxburgh Park, which all had an increase of offences, rounded out the top five.
Stealing from a motor vehicle was the number one offence in Hume for the quarter with 402 more offences on the previous 12 months.
Other theft, breach of family violence order, criminal damage and obtaining benefit by deception rounded out the top five offence types.
There was a slight drop in family violence offences, dropping from 3641 to 3635.
It’s the lowest number of incidents in Hume in the past five years.
A police spokesperson said the rise in offences in Hume and Whittlesea can be attributed to both property and deception offences and breaches of family violence orders.
“Police in Hume and Whittlesea attended over 6,500 family violence incidents over the last year,” they said. “That’s over 15 incidents every single day.
“This is why our specialist family violence detectives are out every day to proactively target and apprehend wanted family violence perpetrators and ensure the safety of victim-survivors. This proactive approach can be attributed to the increase in family violence breaches detected by police.”
The spokesperson said theft from motor vehicle, retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and the theft of petrol are the fastest growing crime types across Victoria.
They said property crime remains a key priority for Whittlesea and Hume police.
“The community can be assured we’re focused on the issue and have a number of proactive operations coming up in the area.
“Police continue to see far too many cars broken into or stolen due to unlocked doors and windows, so we urge the community to take simple measures such as removing valuables and ensuring cars are locked at all times.”
