Ballarat one of the worst places for theft

Ballarat had one of the worst theft rates in regional Victoria, according to the latest official crime data. 

The statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency, which were collected from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016, showed a 12.7 per cent increase in the number of thefts in Ballarat.

Thefts had increased steadily over a five year period with a jump of more than 400 thefts in the past 12 months. 

There were 4163 thefts recorded by the end of September 2016 compared to 3694 the year before.

Since September 2012, theft had risen by more than 1000 offences. 

Even more notable was that Ballarat had a higher rate of theft per 100,000 population than its regional counterparts Bendigo and Geelong, as well as suburbs such as Frankston and Melton.

Beside from theft, arson was another crime that significantly increased.

It rose by 34.4 per cent in the 12 month period and had more than tripled since September 2014 from 52 offences to 168 offences. 

Justice procedures also showed a major rise in Ballarat, increasing by 120.8 per cent with a jump from 197 offences to 436 in a 12 month period.

Across the state justice procedures were up by 75.3 per cent from 7808 to 13,689, with police believing the rise could come from the increased reporting of family violence.

Assault and related offences were also on the rise with an increase of more than 100 incidences from 837 to 947, which was a 13.1 per cent increase.

But there was some good news for Ballarat. 

Burglary/break and enter had declined by 1.5 per cent in the 12 month period, while property damage dropped 8.8 per cent.

Other significant declines were drug dealing and trafficking, which dropped by 36 per cent, and disorderly and offensive conduct, which dropped by 19.3 per cent. 

Overall, Ballarat had an increase of 7.7 per cent in total offences over 12 months, and a 16.88 per cent increase over 24 months.

In comparison, statewide the number of offences increased 11.6 per cent, with 543,315 offences recorded by police compared to 487,017 recorded in the same period last year.