A dramatic surge in family violence and assault offences was recorded in Maribyrnong last year compared with the previous year, despite a 6.5 per cent drop in overall crime.
Hobsons Bay crime rates also fell by 5 per cent in spite of crimes against the person jumping 10.3 per cent, from 751 cases to 828.
Data released last week by Victoria Police shows a 46 per cent hike in family violence cases in Maribyrnong, contributing to a
33 per cent rise in assaults overall, from 582 to 771.
Large decreases in drug offences (down 41 per cent), robbery (down 22 per cent) and theft from (24 per cent) and of motor vehicles (32 per cent) helped the overall crime rate in the municipality buck the statewide rise of 3.1 per cent. In Hobsons Bay, drug offences rose by 46 per cent last year (from 249 to 364) compared with the previous year.
Crimes against property dropped 12 per cent, while the biggest decreases were in car theft, down 40 per cent, and non-residential burglaries, which dropped 26 per cent.
Home burglaries fell by 16 per cent and thefts from cars decreased by 21 per cent.
Maribyrnong’s Inspector Tony Long said there was still a lot of work to do, especially with crimes against the person rising 16.7 per cent.
“We have dedicated a lot of time and effort to keeping the community safe, and to have a result like this is very frustrating.” He put many of the ‘‘non-family violence’’ assaults down to people who know each other and fight as a result of excessive alcohol consumption or drug use.
The results have triggered a decision to divert more police resources into tackling antisocial behaviour and drinking via highly visible patrols by the Westgate Safer Community Taskforce.
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Richard Paterson said that the total number of assaults, which jumped 12 per cent from 594 to 665, continued to challenge police.
Family violence assaults in the municipality increased by 24 per cent from 225 to 279.
‘‘Family violence incidents continue to contribute to an increase in assault-related crime,” Inspector Paterson said.
Alcohol-fuelled violence also contributed to rising assaults, Mr Paterson said.
Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles welcomed the latest data showing drug-related arrests had fallen. “Suburbs such as Footscray have had a reputation in the past – but residents in Footscray have long known that perceptions of Footscray don’t always match reality and these latest statistics prove it.”
But Williamstown MP and Shadow Police Minister Wade Noonan said rising crime rates across the state showed the government was failing to protect the community.
“The Napthine government’s so-called ‘tough on crime’ stance has been exposed as a sham with crime rates rising every year since the government was elected.”
