News

Police | December 15, 2016

Crime statistics announced today

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says community safety is at risk after Daniel Andrews’ failure to do enough to tackle rising crime rates.

The Victorian Crime Statistics Agency released its quarterly data today, revealing the number of offences recorded by police rose 11.6 per cent in the year to 30 September 2016.

Since December 2014 the following Local Government areas have seen a significant rise in offences:

• Ararat Rural City Council  – up 21%
• Hindmarsh Shire Council – up 55.11%
• Horsham Rural City Council – up 19.08%
• Northern Grampians Shire Council – up 40.46%
• Southern Grampians Shire Council – up 37.93%
• Yarriambiack Shire Council – up 35.53%

Horsham has been reported as having the fourth highest crime rate per capita in the State.

“Western Victoria is less safe with Daniel Andrews’ soft on crime approach,” Ms Kealy said.

“Regional Victoria isn’t immune to the crime wave sweeping the state under Daniel Andrews.

“Daniel Andrews did nothing for two years as crime continued to rise.

“It is time for this city-centric Labor Government to listen to country communities that desperately need more police resources and sentences that reflect the community’s expectations, to deal with rising crime,” she said.

In the year to 30 September 2016, Victorian offences that were up included:

• 42,754 assaults and related offences - up 12.6%
• 54,219 burglaries and break and enter - up 13.7%
• 186,636 thefts - up 17.5%
• 3, 063 robberies - up 21.5%
• 5,564 dangerous and negligent acts endangering people - up 20.5%
• 23,768 drug use and possession offences - up 5.4%
• 23,114 motor vehicle thefts - up 31.1%
• 61 murders - up 8.9%
• 53 attempted murders - 43.2%
• 4,264 rapes - up 5.8%

 “These statistics confirm that our local communities have become less safe under Daniel Andrews,” Ms Kealy said.