A 39 per cent drop in drug offences has driven a 9.2 per cent reduction in crime in Maribyrnong in the 12 months to September 30. But drug offences in Hobsons Bay rose by 38.6 per cent during the period, compared with the same time last year.
Inspector Richard Paterson said this was mainly because of a shift in focus by police.
“I suppose we’ve had a concerted effort on drug offences, especially with ice and cannabis,” he said. “We really treat it as a health issue, putting people through diversions into health programs.”
Hobsons Bay assaults, including family violence, rose 18 per cent from 564 to 665. Family violence was up from 225 to 256.
Inspector Paterson said the assaults included neighbourhood disputes and road rage incidents.
Police will step up patrols in Williamstown and Altona over summer, particularly around the two main swimming beaches in the west.
“It’s really going to be targeting anti-social behaviour so the visible police presence will really make the area safer,” he said. “Last year, we had an issue with thefts along the beach and that will be targeted this year.”
In Hobsons Bay, residential burglaries rose 9 per cent from 477 to 521 while robberies dropped 30 per cent from 63 to 44. Car theft was down by 31 per cent from 368 to 255 and theft from cars dropped from 1081 to 938.
In Maribyrnong, vehicle theft dropped 36 per cent, theft from vehicles was down by 25 per cent and robbery was down 10 per cent.
But non-residential burglary jumped 15 per cent and assaults were up by 16 per cent, driven by a 40 per cent spike in family violence.
