Ballarat has recorded a major crime spike last financial year according to the latest release of reported crime statistics.
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The Crime Statistics Agency’s break down between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 revealed 11,151 offences were recorded in the City of Ballarat, up more than 1000 on last year.
After declining for the past two years, the latest figure is a significant spike of 10,891 per 100,000 population.
Ballarat's crime rate (which increased by approximately nine per cent in 2014/15) is tracking faster than the population growth (approximately two per cent).
Theft remains the city's biggest concern with 3,484 offences, which equates to 10 reports on average to police every day and is up by 385 from the same period in 2013/14.The offence rate per capita in Ballarat makes it one of the leading regional hotspots for theft.
The property and deception offence rate of 6505 per 100,000 population ranks Ballarat well ahead of Bendigo (3774), Horsham (6104) and Geelong (5,370). The Latrobe Valley has Victoria’s worst regional rate at 8038.
Inspector Bruce Thomas said the message from Ballarat Police and Neighbourhood Watch's security campaign 'Wish I locked it' - which was launched earlier this year - "was obviously" not working.
“Victim complacency doesn't help us,” he said.
“Leaving things unlocked is what most often leads to thefts. Approximately 70 per cent of car break ins are because the car has been left unlocked.
“Ballarat Police are working incredibly hard to prevent and catch all offenders. Crime prevention has to start with the community as well, we can only do so much.”
Inspector Thomas said the statistics don't reveal the true story behind why Ballarat tops the theft count per population.
He said socioeconomic status and the unemployment rate were major factors in why thefts were so high in the region.
Breaches of orders, which includes intervention orders for family violence, has also shown an alarming upward trend in the past four years throughout Ballarat according to the Crime Statistics Agency. This year’s figure of 1,294 up 499 on same time last year.
Inspector Thomas said the increasing figure was a good indication that domestic violence campaigning are helping people speak up and report abuse.
“And it shows that the police are doing their job,” he said.
“People can have confidence in the justice system and approach police and the courts if the order has been breached and rest assured we will charge them.”
Drugs continues to be a scourge on the local community, with 2014/15 the highest offence figure in five years at 577, which includes use and possession (445), dealing (95) and manufacturing (36) all recording jumps.
The number of sexual offences reported has seen an extreme increase by 250 in the last 12 months and by 417 over the past five years, while burglary and break and enter crimes are the highest in two years at 1,207.
Arson is also up by 60 offences from the previous 12 months.
The overall offence rate per 100,000 population is the highest in five years. It is higher than both Geelong (8,487) and Bendigo (7,777) and one of the worst in regional Victoria.
While Ballarat recorded growth in the majority of offence divisions, assault is the lowest it has been in four years at 812 incidents recorded, while stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour continued its four year drop and property damage – which has been a problem in the past with high numbers recorded – looks to be on the decline at 1,362 – the lowest in five years.
Despite the rise in crime City of Ballarat deputy mayor Peter Innes doesn’t believe Ballarat is an unsafe place to live, although he said residents may need to be more vigilant.
“One of the things that does concern me is that increase in theft, particularly from unlocked cars and houses,” he said.
“In this day and age we just need to be aware of what is going on around us."
Cr Innes said to improve the statistics the responsibility can’t just lie with police.
“Our police do an incredible job under massive duress and I think this is a whole community problem.
“We need to sit down as community leaders and try and find some cleverer ways of looking at solutions.”