Crime statistics from the inner-west reveal a tale of two cities.
From the end of 2014 to last December 31, there was a 10.3 per cent jump in crimes in the 3012 postcode – Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham and West Footscray – which was the largest increase in the inner-west.
Crime was up by 10.2 per cent in Braybrook, 6.6 per cent in Yarraville, and 2.5 per cent in Footscray and Seddon.
But falls of seven per cent were recorded at Williamstown and Williamstown North. Further declines were measured at 6.3 per cent at Altona and Seaholme, three per cent in Altona Meadows, Laverton and Seabrook, and 0.7 per cent in Newport, Spotswood and South Kingsville.
Footscray and Seddon remained the region’s crime hotspots with 3037 offences. Yarraville recorded the lowest number of offences at 787.
Hobsons Bay police’s Inspector Michelle Young said the Brooklyn area’s 10 per cent crime rise could be curbed by security upgrades, such as CCTV. “Updated security systems and vigilance around property security will certainly assist police,” she said.
Footscray’s Acting Inspector Jason Templar said thefts from motor vehicles – the biggest crime category – were driving up statistics in the affected postcodes, which are susceptible given their lack of off-street parking and the number of transport hubs where cars park all day.
He noted many offenders came from outside the area to commit opportunistic crimes. Residents can keep track of crimes of concern via the Maribyrnong Eyewatch Facebook page.
– with Goya Dmytryshchak
