ARSON has jumped by 128 per cent as overall crime rates have continued to rise in Ballarat, reflective of a statewide trend.
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Overall crime in Ballarat rose by 13.5 per cent in the last quarter. Statewide crime was up 12.4 per cent with family incidents increasing 10.2 per cent. One third of the crimes committed in Victoria are now theft-related, the Crime Statistics Agency says. Theft rates in Ballarat have risen 30 per cent since the same time last year Assault also rose by 15 per cent.
Criminal cultivation or manufacture of drugs has jumped by 113 per cent, however drug possession has dropped. Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said theft from motor cars was driving the statewide surge in theft offences. He said Victorians and police had a shared responsibility to reduce crime.
“(We must think) what more can everyone do in terms of protecting their properties,” Deputy Commissioner Crisp said. He said theft of number plates skyrocketed by up to 30 per cent over the last year. These number plates are used by criminals to evade tolls and commit petrol drive offs, he said. The Crime Statistics Agency’s latest release shows the crime rate per 100,000 population increased by more than 10 per cent in the year.
Police responded to more than 10 per cent more family violence incidents in the same period. Police and politicians said family violence continues to be Victoria’s number one law and order issue. In Ballarat offences endangering a person rose by 55 per cent.
Police minister Lisa Neville said a stronger focus on firearm regulation had driven an increase in recorded firearms offences. She said new laws introduced in 2015 had given police additional powers to get illegal guns off the stress.
“We face a number of complex law and order challenges – including the scourge of family violence, the need to crack down on gangs and gun crime – which is why this government continues to give Victoria Police the people, technology and infrastructure they need to keep our community safe, now and well into the future,” Ms Neville said. Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight said the government was funding more police on the beat to ensure police had the resources needed to fight crime.
Member for Western Victoria Joshua Morris called for the government to ensure the public understood how the Ballarat West Police Station would be manned and used.