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Emergency Services Police | December 22, 2017

Upward crime trend across Lowan continues

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has expressed concern at a continuing upward trend in crime rates across the Lowan electorate.

“Western Victoria has been abandoned by the Premier for Melbourne while the crime rate spirals out of control,” Ms Kealy said.

“Drug use and possession, theft and burglary are the main areas on the rise across the Lowan electorate which is a real concern for our local communities.

“Local police are doing an amazing job, particularly considering the large areas they cover.

“The problem is Daniel Andrews soft approach on crime and the fact there are simply not enough police being trained,” she said.

Figures released by the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency this week show the following rise in crime rates since the Andrews Labor Government was elected in 2014:

• Hindmarsh Shire Council – 70.7% increase
• Southern Grampians Shire Council – 35% increase
• Northern Grampians Shire Council – 28.4% increase
• Yarriambiack Shire Council – 27.8% increase
• Ararat Rural City Council – 11.6% increase
• Horsham Rural City Council – 2.9% increase
• West Wimmera Shire Council – 6.8% increase

Horsham Rural City Council continues to rank fifth highest across the State (behind Melbourne, Latrobe, Yarra and Greater Shepparton) with 12,433.1 recorded offences per 100,000 estimated resident population.

“Daniel Andrews can’t fix the violent crime rate by continuing to give repeat violent offenders four, five or six chances before sending them to jail,” Shadow Minister for Community Safety Edward O’Donohue said.

“Until this Premier starts to put the rights of innocent Victorians before the rights of violent criminals, we will not see any decline in violent crime rates.

“Only the Liberal Nationals Coalition have a plan for stronger sentencing, tougher parole conditions and a return to the principle that bail is a privilege, not a right, for violent offenders,” he said.