Gerald Lynch
Crime across Hume and Whittlesea increased in the 12 months to September, but police are less concerned with the figures and more concerned with combating family violence and theft related crime.
According to Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data, Hume recorded 18,031 offences in the year to September 30, up 1.5 per cent from the year prior.
Hume Acting Inspector Laura Woolfe said the numbers are nothing scary.
“While overall crime in Hume has risen slightly, it pleasingly remains 14.9 per cent below pre-pandemic levels,” she said.
“Overall crime in Broadmeadows is down by 15 per cent on pre-COVID levels, while crime in Craigieburn has fallen by 17.8 per cent over the same time.
“Assaults, robberies, burglaries, and theft offences have all decreased in Hume since before the pandemic.”
She said crime statistics for the twelve months to September 2022 were still affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
“During this time, there was over a month of lockdown, while community habits took significant time to return to normal once restrictions were lifted in November 2021,” she said.
“For this reason, a truer reflection of the overall crime rate is to compare to the twelve months to September 2019.
“Police monitor crime trends in real-time, ensuring resources are deployed where needed to prevent and detect crime.
“Throughout 2024, local police will continue to run targeted operations and investigations focused on key issues, such as youth crime, property crime and family violence.”
Whittlesea saw a 5.2 per cent increase in crime with 12,825 offences recorded, compared to 12,194 the year prior.
A police spokesperson said despite a small increase in offences this year, Whittlesea is safe.
“Whittlesea remains an overwhelmingly safe place to live, with overall crime in Whittlesea plummeting by more than 21 per cent since pre pandemic,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes steep declines in assaults, burglaries, and thefts.
“Total family violence incidents in Whittlesea also dropped by more than 10 per cent year-on-year.”
