The Ballarat-based Police Assistance Line is contributing to a clearer picture of offending across the state, according to police.
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Since its inception on July 1, 2019, a team of civilian call takers and a group of police fielded nearly 800,000 calls and processed 17,000 online crime reports.
The most common types of crimes reported through the 24-hour phone line and accompanying online reporting tool have been theft from a motor vehicle, burglary, theft and property damage.
The Police Assistance Line (PAL), which is tucked away in the Flecknoe Building on Albert Street, was created to free up time for frontline police so they can prioritise urgent crimes and the response to emergencies.
While it was established as a way for the community to report non-urgent crimes or events without visiting a police station, it has also taken on other roles to support emergency services on the ground during the summer bushfires and during the coronavirus pandemic.
During the unprecedented bushfires, PAL employees were tasked with recording the details of residents who wanted to return to their homes in Mallacoota.
Mere weeks afterwards, they were inundated after being tasked to take calls about potential coronavirus breaches.
According to statistics released on Wednesday, of the 800,000 calls received in the last year, almost 78,000 of them were from people calling in regards to possible breaches of restrictions put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The Courier recently reported that the line received a 30 per cent increase in calls in April as people rushed to dob in potential coronavirus restriction breaches.
Prior to the pandemic, PAL call takers picked up about 2500 calls a day ranging from general inquiries to requests to report non-urgent crimes such as theft and noise complaints.
But from the 70,983 calls taken in March, it jumped to 102,034 in April.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger said the service was making it easier for Victorians to report non-urgent crimes, many of which have traditionally not been reported to police.
As such, it was providing a clearer picture of crime trends as people can report a crime on the phone or on the website from wherever they like, without the need to go to a police station.
We started out to take the pressure off frontline police and we've done exactly that. Along the way, we've also found a way to adapt to emerging trends in the community.
- Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger
"We started out to take the pressure off frontline police and we've done exactly that. Along the way, we've also found a way to adapt to emerging trends in the community," he said.
"We're adaptable, we're flexible, and more importantly, we're here for the community."
While there is still a way to go to reach the target of 80 per cent of crime reports made through PAL, of all crime reports made to police, PAL takes about 51 per cent, while the other 49 per cent are made through police stations.
Work is also being undertaken to prepare PAL, and its 250 odd phone lines, to be best equipped to respond to other emergencies.
The Police Assistance Line can be contacted on 131 444. An online report can be submitted at www.police.vic.gov.au/palolr
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