A spike in robbery and theft offences has driven crime in Maribyrnong to its highest level in five years.
Crime Statistics Agency data for 2016, released last week, shows a 4.7 per cent rise in recorded offences compared to 2015 – up from 8677 to 9085 crimes.
As Victoria recorded a 10.2 per cent rise in crime for the year, Hobsons Bay bucked the statewide trend with a 2.4 per cent drop to a five-year low of 6668.
Maribyrnong recorded a 70 per cent surge in robbery as assaults and deception offences both rose by 10 per cent. Accounting for 44 per cent of all crime, theft was up five per cent to its highest levels in four years.
Drug use and possession climbed nine per cent, yet drug dealing and trafficking offences were down 39 per cent.
Burglary offences fell eight per cent and sexual assaults fell 21 per cent.
Footscray police Inspector Adrian Healy said opportunistic thefts remained a major driver of local crime.
“We do find mobile phones are a very popular item for stealing, in a whole range of ways,” he said.
Inspector Healy said there appeared to have been a drop in the drug trade around central Footscray, contributing to a reduction in detections of dealing.
In Hobsons Bay, there was a 14 per cent rise in stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour, a seven per cent climb in arson and a nine per cent rise in drug use and possession.
Drops were recorded in sexual offences, robbery, property damage, deception and drug dealing and trafficking.
Hobsons Bay Inspector Michelle Young said the overall decrease in crime and public order offences reflects police working closely with the community.
“We continue to work closely to identify other areas where as a community we can contribute to further decreases, particularly in areas of road trauma and family violence,” she said.
