Police have moved to quell fears of home invasions in Hobsons Bay after widespread reports on social media about Apex-style gangs breaking into homes.
One post, shared more than 160 times, quickly attracted comments blaming refugees.
The Apex gang, as it’s called, is made up of young offenders from across Melbourne, who have become known for violent carjackings and home invasions.
But Hobsons Bay Acting Inspector Andrew Foot said there was no police intelligence on gang activity in Hobsons Bay.
“Don’t believe everything you read on social media.”
Crime Statistics Agency chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said there had been a significant decline in home burglaries in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong council areas (LGAs).
“On average, residential burglaries in Hobsons Bay make up over two-thirds of all burglaries in this LGA, with an overall drop of 17.2 per cent in the last five years,” she said. “Maribyrnong LGA saw similar decreases –down by 27.8 per cent compared to five years ago – aggravated burglary makes up less than 15 per cent of all residential burglaries.”
In Hobsons Bay, the worst suburbs for aggravated burglary – when someone is home – were Altona Meadows and Altona North, with 10 recorded offences in each suburb in the 12 months to April. Five years ago, Altona Meadows recorded 17 aggravated burglaries and Altona North three.
In Maribyrnong, the worst suburb for aggravated burglaries was Footscray with 25 cases, compared with 22 five years ago.
The state government last week introduced the new offence of aggravated home invasion, which carries a minimum three-year jail term.
