By Matthew Sims
Recorded criminal offences increased by 11 per cent across Hobsons Bay in the year to March, according to new Crime Statistics Agency [CSA] data.
The data showed there were 6209 recorded offences during the June 2021 to June 2022 period in Hobsons Bay, which was a jump of 616 recorded offences compared to the 5593 offences recorded during the June 2020 to June 2021 period.
Criminal offences in Altona increased by 7.4 per cent in the year to June, with property damage offences in Altona rising by 45.2 per cent, while drug offences in Altona fell by 31.8 per cent.
In Williamstown, the data reflected there were 1112 recorded offences between June 2021 and June 2022, which was a 14.9 per cent jump.
The number of recorded theft offences in Williamstown during the June 2021 to June 2022 also increased by 49.1 per cent compared to the previous year.
In Maribyrnong, the data reflected a 3.6 per cent reduction in recorded criminal offences, with 8507 offences recorded in the year up to June.
Footscray’s data showed a 8.3 per cent increase in the number of recorded criminal offences, including a 21.4 per cent jump in the number of theft offences and a 60 per cent increase in the number of recorded drug dealing and trafficking offences – from 15 to 24 offences.
In Yarraville, the number of drug use and possession charges recorded in the June 2021 to 2022 period doubled when compared to the previous year – from 16 to 32 offences.
Hobsons Bay local area commander Inspector Tim O’Connor said it was “incredibly positive” to have recorded criminal offences in Maribyrnong continue to decrease.
“While Hobsons Bay experienced an increase from the previous year, the numbers are stable when compared to pre-pandemic levels,” he said.
“We know that COVID lockdowns have had an impact on criminal offending, and we can expect to see an increase as we continue to emerge from the pandemic environment.”
Overall, the number of criminal offences reported across Victoria in the year ending June 2022 decreased by 10 per cent to 469,506 offences compared to the year ending June 2021.
