A surge of assaults has Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay police warning that trouble- makers will feel the full weight of the law.
Data released last week showed total crime in the 12 months to March was up 0.2 per cent in Maribyrnong but down 2.3 per cent in Hobsons Bay. Total crime has risen by 7 per cent across Victoria since April 2013.
A 60 per cent rise in drug offences in Hobsons Bay, to 405 cases, stood in marked contrast to a 26 per cent drop in Maribyrnong (to 577).
A 28 per cent spike in family violence offences in Hobsons Bay – to 297 – fuelled a 6 per cent rise in overall assaults. Family violence was up
19 per cent in Maribyrnong, pushing all assaults up 17 per cent to 748.
Maribyrnong registered declines in robbery (29 per cent), motor vehicle theft (14 per cent) and residential burglary (8 per cent).
Hobsons Bay experienced noticeable drops in motor vehicle theft (40 per cent), residential burglary (34 per cent) and theft from motor vehicle (15 per cent).
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Richard Paterson said drug use was one of the major drivers of crime in the area, with cannabis and crystal methamphetamine (ice) accounting for about 80 per cent of detected offences.
Maribyrnong’s Inspector Tony Long welcomed the drop in robbery and drug offences but said there wasn’t much to cheer about in the results. “Many assaults seem to occur after the most minor of incidents between the combatants, who are often affected by alcohol.”
Williamstown Labor MP Wade Noonan said budget cuts meant more officers were being taken off the streets and put behind desks.
But Police Minister Kim Wells said the 2014-15 state budget included a record $2.43 billion for Victoria Police.
