Maribyrnong crime hits record high

Maribyrnong has experienced an average of more than one crime every hour in the past year.

New figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency show recorded crimes in Maribyrnong in the 12 months to September 30 skyrocketed from 8190 to 9168.

Crime in Hobsons Bay rose only slightly in the same period, up from 6746 to 6805 recorded offences.

Maribyrnong assault offences were up 15 per cent, property damage rose 14 per cent, robbery surged by 22 per cent and arson soared by 44 per cent.

Drug use and weapons offences were also on the rise, while theft jumped 16 per cent, joining deception and public nuisance offences in hitting five-year highs.

Drops were recorded in blackmail and extortion, burglary, drug dealing and cultivating or manufacturing, and disorderly and offensive conduct. Sexual offences dropped 16 per cent to a five-year low.

In Hobsons Bay, abduction rose by 22 per cent, dangerous acts by 20 per cent, drug use rose by four per cent and public nuisance offences jumped by 25 per cent.

But a 32 per cent drop was recorded in sexual offences and robbery was down 27 per cent, property damage decreased by seven per cent and deception fell by 17 per cent.