Inner-west crime-fighting tactics appear to be working, with reported crimes dropping three per cent in Hobsons Bay and nine per cent in Maribyrnong in a year.
Crime Statistics Agency figures released last week show reported crimes fell from 6921 to 6717 in Hobsons Bay in the year to June 30.
There was a jump in sexual offences from 94 to 162, which police and support groups attributed to ‘historical’ crimes and greater confidence in speaking out.
Assaults remained unchanged at 570, although this was up from 384 five years ago.
There were 49 robberies, down two – a significant drop from 84 reported in 2011.
Burglaries dropped by 26 to 613, while thefts declined from 2756 to 2555.
Drug offences were all down, with 31 offences for dealing and trafficking, 20 for cultivation and manufacturing, and 220 for use and possession.
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Michelle Young said it was the second consecutive year that overall crime had fallen.
“Hobsons Bay is a fantastic area where everything works so well together – the police with the community – and that contributes to overall crime reduction,” she said.
“There’s a lot of proactive [policing] as well.”
In Maribyrnong assaults dropped from 621 to 430, robbery was down from 90 to 81, but stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour rose from 109 to 120 and sexual offences from 119 to 122.
Theft fell from 3643 to 3376, while burglaries jumped from 787 to 884.
Statewide, there were 220,088 victims and 82,280 alleged offenders recorded by Victoria Police.
with Goya Dmytryshchak
