The number of family violence incidents in Sunbury has soared in the past year, according to new Crime Statistics Agency data.
Reported cases of family violence common assaults rose 62.5 per cent in the 12 months to September 30, 2017, up to 104 incidents from 64 in the previous year. Family violence serious assault cases climbed to 62, up from 55 in September 2016.
Hume inspector Anthony Brown said while police were always working to reduce family violence, an increase in the number of reports was a sign that more incidents were not going under the radar.
“We’re out there actively encouraging people to report cases of family violence,” Inspector Brown said.
“We have a dedicated family violence investigation team and we take all incidences of violence very seriously.”
Incidents of common assault not related to family violence also rose 62.9 per cent, up to 57 cases from 35. Inspector Brown said most of these incidents were between people who knew each other and were not random attacks.
Overall, 3167 offences were recorded in Sunbury in the year to September 30, 2017, up from 3098 last year.
In Macedon Ranges, overall offences remained steady at 2571 – just two more than the previous year. But cases of common assault not related to family violence jumped to 252, up from 146.
