Robbery and assault was down but home burglaries rose last year in Ballarat, according to the latest Victoria Police statisitics.
THERE were less robberies, more assaults, less property damage and more home burglaries in Ballarat in 2012 compared to 2011, new police statistics reveal.
Overall, reported crime in the Ballarat police service area for 2012 increased 2.3 per cent.
November 2012: Family violence jumps 70% in Ballarat
September 2012: Ballarat crime increases 10.9%
May 2012: Crime rate in Ballarat jumps 11.6%
A jump in family violence pushed crime up again, increasing 27.9 per cent, while non-family violence assaults jumped 18.9 per cent.
In a statement accompanying the statistics, Ballarat Inspector Bruce Thomas said police were constantly looking at new initiatives and processes to drive the crime rate down.
"Assaults are our main concern and top priority," he said.
"Family violence contributes to the assault figures...Ballarat Police Station now has one sergeant and six police dedicated full time to the Family Violence Unit."
"The Family Violence Unit is now concentrating on recidivist offenders and repeat victims, who, as research shows, contribute a great deal to the overall figures."
Inspector Thomas said the Ballarat police Assault Reduction Strategy was in the process of being reviewed in order to gauge "continued relevance".
While crime against property dropped 8.7 per cent, police continue to place high importance on stopping graffiti-related offences in their tracks.
Inspector Thomas said police were "regenerating" their anti-graffiti operation, Centaur, in an effort to try and stem the number of tags around the city.
"We have already made a number of arrests for graffiti type offences," he said.
"There were 23 more home burglaries in 2012 compared with 2011, an increase of 3.2 per cent, while theft of motor vehicles dropped 5.9 per cent."
To avoid becoming victims, community members should lock their vehicles and take valuables with them," Inspector Thomas said.
To view the latest crime statistics in your area, visit http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/myplace.html
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