BURGLARIES in Hobsons Bay jumped by 24.8per cent last year compared to 2010, while crimes against people rose by5.7 per cent.
In the 12 months to December, residential burglaries rose from 407 to 508, but break-ins at commercial and retail premises fell 11.4per cent from 193 to 171.
Crimes against people, including abduction and kidnapping, increased from 698 to 738.
There were 361 reported assaults, excluding family violence, down 4.2per cent from the previous year at 377. Assaults including family violence numbered 520, a 1.5per cent drop or five fewer than in 2010.
Robberies dropped by 3.9 per cent with 73 reports made to police – three fewer than in 2010.
Damage to property fell 8.4per cent, from 777 to 712, but crime against property – such as deception and handling stolen goods – jumped from 3960 to 3974.
Drug offences were up 7.1 per cent, from 225 to 241. Police figures showed that “other crimes”, including antisocial behaviour in public, harassment, going equipped to steal and breach of intervention orders, increased by 5.9 per cent from 607 to 643.
Vehicle thefts dropped 9percent from 277 to 252 and thefts from vehicles fell 7.8percent from 926 to 854.
Inspector Bill Mathers said Hobsons Bay’s crime rate was still relatively low compared to neighbouring municipalities.
“I know our crime rates, when you compare us to those around us, are low and good … but trying to maintain this is a struggle.”
Robberies rose 34per cent in Wyndham, 19.7per cent in Maribyrnong and 15.4per cent in Brimbank.
Assaults including family violence jumped 15.6per cent in Maribyrnong and 9.8per cent in Brimbank, while in Wyndham they fell by 1.9per cent.
Residential burglaries were up by 58.5per cent in Brimbank, 29.8per cent in Wyndham and 27.1per cent in Maribyrnong.
