Oscar Parry
Criminal offences recorded have increased by 6.9 per cent in Hume and decreased by 4 per cent in the Macedon Ranges in the year to March, new data reveals.
Crime Statistics Agency data, released on June 20, reveals there were 19,215 total offences recorded in Hume in the 12 months to March – an increase of 1246 incidents from the 12 months prior.
Police recorded 2453 offences in Sunbury, an increase of 149 from the previous year.
A police spokesperson said that despite these increases, crime in Hume has dropped since pre-pandemic levels.
“Overall, crime in Hume has dropped by 10 per cent since pre-pandemic [and] crime in Sunbury is at its third lowest levels in a decade,” the spokesperson said.
The locations where many of these crimes occurred were homes, followed by streets, lanes, footpaths, and carparks.
Steal from motor vehicle offences rose in Hume by 379 cases to 2159 cases, contributing to the overall crime increase.
The spokesperson said police have noticed an increase in thieves targeting vehicles – specifically ones that are unlocked.
“In fact, offenders roam up and down streets until they find a car that is unlocked and either steal the car or valuables inside,” the police spokesperson said.
“That’s why it is so important to always lock your vehicle, even if it’s in a secure driveway, because if there is less opportunity for theft it is less likely to occur.”
Breaches of family violence orders in Hume’s rose by 142 cases to 1882 cases, making it one of the most common offences in the municipality.
“Our message to those experiencing family violence is clear – when you are ready to come forward, we will be here to listen and support you,” the police spokesperson said.
In the Macedon Ranges, there were 2085 offences recorded, down from 2172 in the previous year.
Of these offences, 839 occurred in houses, and 235 occurred on streets, lanes, and footpaths.
Bendigo Acting Superintendent Dan Davidson said many of these were opportunistic crimes.
“Pleasingly, levels of crime in Macedon Ranges are at their second lowest levels in almost a decade. While residential burglaries have also decreased, police are continuing to patrol the community to deter opportunistic thieves from breaking into cars and homes,” Acting Superintendent Davidson said.
“Our intelligence also indicates that a substantial number of car break-ins stem from vehicles being left unlocked, which is why we strongly urge the community to secure their properties and vehicles at all times.”
Gisborne was the Macedon Ranges suburb with the most offences recorded this year, with 449 total offences – an increase from 392 in the previous year.
