Local crime stats steady

There has been little change in the crime statistics in Bass Coast in the past year.

The latest figures released by the government’s Crime Statistics agency covers the 12 months to March 2023.

While the state figures show an increase of 5.6 per cent on the previous year, in Bass Coast the number of criminal incidents was up by just one.

Breaches of family violence orders remained the top offence followed by criminal damage and theft, with Wonthaggi and Cowes the two top locations.

Alleged offender incidents were up by almost 10 per cent, while family incidents were down by 5.9 per cent.

Despite the reduction in family incidents, the level of family violence in the area remains well above the state average.

Women continue to be the group most affected by family incidents, particularly in the 25-34 age group.

The figures also reveal the most common crimes for the Bass Coast region.

Of the 2143 incidents, breach of family violence orders topped the list (231), followed by criminal damage (202), theft (176), common assault (149) and residential burglary (143).

Charges were laid in 38.4 per cent of cases. No charges were laid in 24.7 per cent, 36.9 per cent of incidents remaining unsolved.

The trends in Bass Coast were not reflected in South Gippsland, which saw criminal incidents jump by 22.9 per cent, and the number of recorded offences up by 23.7 per cent.

However family incidents in South Gippsland dropped by 2.4 per cent, but remain above the state average.

To see the local breakdown, go to www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/crime-statistics/latest-crime-data-by-area, and select Bass Coast from the drop down menu.

State-wide

Victoria police said overall crime across the state still remained 9.1 per cent below pre-Covid levels. 

Overall crimes against the person increased by 3.2 per cent year-on-year, with crimes such as assaults and dangerous driving offences driving this increase. Offences to reduce included stalking and harassment, rape, and sex offences against children.

Police said the number of family violence order breaches is significantly higher than pre-pandemic (+16.6 per cent from twelve months to March 2020).

“This can be partly attributed to a bolstered police response, which first commenced during the pandemic when offenders and victims were confined to the same home for long periods of time – complicating the ability for victims to report abuse,” the police media statement noted.

“As part of a now entrenched response, specialist police and detectives from 31 Family Violence Investigation Units across the state are proactively knocking on the doors of victims and perpetrators to ensure that offenders know they are being monitored, victims feel supported, and breaches are more easily identified.”

The police statement also noted dangerous driving offences rose by 17 per cent.

“While an increase in these offences is attributable to the significant proactive enforcement undertaken on roads and freeways each day, it remains disappointing that a small number of drivers continue to willingly put themselves and other road users at severe risk of death or a life altering injury.

“With 145 people losing their lives on Victorian roads already this year, Victoria Police’s Road Policing Command and local Highway Patrol Units will continue to focus its energies on getting people home safely.”

Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said while there were some positives in the latest figures, police were investing significant energy and resources to areas of concern.

“Every single night, we have significant numbers of local police working alongside the Air Wing, Dog Squad and Public Order Response Team until dawn to prevent burglaries and car thefts from occurring.

“In some parts of Melbourne, up to 70 per cent of homes broken into are unlocked, so we also implore the community to take simple measures such as locking all doors, windows, and gates to help foil opportunistic thieves.”

He said the horror 2023 on Victorian roads is another major concern with 145 lives lost, up 39 on the same time last year.

“Reckless drivers are firmly in the sights of local and state Highway Patrol units who continue to run targeted and intelligence led operations to reduce the likelihood of further trauma on our roads.”