News

Police | September 28, 2017

Crime trending up across Lowan

Crime across the Lowan electorate remains a problem, with a significant rise in offences since December 2014.

Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP said the latest statistics released by the Crime Statistics Agency showed an alarming rise in violent crime across Victoria.

“There has been a significant rise in crime across the Lowan electorate since the Andrews Labor Government was elected in 2014, with the following offence rates reported for each Local Government area:

-        Hindmarsh Shire Council – 82.67% increase

-        Southern Grampians Shire Council – 39.92% increase

-        Northern Grampians Shire Council – 37.3% increase

-        Yarriambiack Shire Council – 30.37% increase

-        Ararat Rural City Council – 15.49% increase

-        Horsham Rural City Council – 7.08% increase

-        West Wimmera Shire Council – 3.13% increase

Horsham Rural City Council is currently ranked fifth highest across the State (behind Melbourne, Latrobe, Yarra and Greater Shepparton) for offence rates with 12,933.2 offences per 100,000 estimated resident population.

“Violent crime is on the rise – that is what worries our community. That is what keeps our community awake at night,” Ms Kealy said.

“Daniel Andrews must adopt the Liberal-Nationals tough mandatory sentencing policy to stop the revolving door of soft justice and sentencing under his Melbourne-centric Labor Government.

“Repeat violent offenders should serve mandatory jail times, not be out in the community committing more violent crimes,” she said.

Victoria has become Australia’s crime capital since December 2014.

Since Daniel Andrews was elected, crime in Victoria has increased 16.1 per cent. Home invasions and aggravated burglaries increased by 11.1 per cent over the last year.

“We have a crime wave that needs to be solved and while the Andrews Government might like to gloat about overall figures, violent crime is still the highest it has ever been,” Ms Kealy said.

“We have a clear crisis on our hands but the Andrews Labor Government continues to be soft on crime,” she said.