Crime rose by 21.6 per cent in Hobsons Bay in the 12 months to September. Thefts of, and from, vehicles rose 36 per cent. Crime against property increased by 33 per cent, from 3802 to 5058 incidents, with property damage up 32.8 per cent, from 688 to 914 cases.
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Bill Mathers said the area was being targeted by local offenders and those coming into the area at night to steal. “Another challenge is to reduce property crime which is driven by graffiti and vandalism.”
Assault, including family violence, rose 8.3 per cent from 521 to 564, while other assaults rose 2.3 per cent from 354 to 362 cases. There were 18 fewer residential burglaries, but other burglaries — such as factory and school break-ins — rose 28.7 per cent from 174 to 224.
Inspector Mathers said it was disappointing that in the year to June, road injuries rose 36.9 per cent from 195 to 267. There was one fatality, which is the same as for the previous year.
