Crime figures across Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay were a mixed bag in the 12 months to December 2023, however police say given the population growth the results are positive.
Recorded offences were up 12.1 per cent in Maribyrnong with 9,713 offences recorded, compared to 8,666 the previous year.
Family violence incidents decreased by 1.7 per cent in Maribyrnong. The data showed 1,127 family incidents reported in the 12 months to December, compared to the 1,147 reported in 2022. Of the offences, 841 of those affected were women, while 286 were men. The most common age group affected was 35-44 years old.
Footscray displayed the highest number of offences in the municipality, recording 3,327 for the period ending in December, which increased from 2,826 in the previous 12 months.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police are patrolling the Footscray CBD at all hours.
“Our proactive police are visiting schools almost every day,” they said.
“Our detectives are conducting a variety of operations and arresting offenders weekly. Footscray police don’t just wait for offences to happen before acting. Last week alone we conducted several proactive operations across the area to boost safety and engage with the community.”
The location which recorded the most incidences in Maribyrnong were homes, although there was a decrease in offences in the last year with
1,881 offences recorded in homes in 2022 compared to 1,830 for this new round of data.
There was also a decrease in the overall offences in Hobsons Bay, with a 3.6 per cent decrease to the year ending December 2023.
There were 5,720 recorded offences in the December 2022 to December 2023 period in Hobsons Bay, compared to the 5,935 recorded offences in the previous year.
Criminal offences in Williamstown, Altona North and Altona all increased in the recording period.
“Family violence continues to be a major focus for us – with police in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong,” the Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“This can be attributed to the proactive work of dedicated members, who are knocking on the doors of victims and perpetrators to ensure offenders know they are being monitored, victims feel supported, and possible breaches are more easily identified.”
