Theft from motor vehicles, drug use and possession, and breaches of court orders continue to be major drivers of crime in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, new Crime Statistics Agency data reveals.
But annual figures released on Thursday show the rate of family violence in the Macedon Ranges dropped almost 10 per cent last year, continuing a recent trend.
The area’s family violence rate fell from 916 offences per 100,000 people to 827. However, the number of orders being breached went up 18 per cent, to 267. Police inspector Ryan Irwin said police hoped that a zero tolerance approach was paying off.
‘‘If it continues that way, it’s great,’’ Inspector Irwin said. ‘‘Quite often, family violence involves repeat offenders. Hopefully, by charging people with breaches of orders and bringing them before the courts, we’re stopping them before it gets to the stage of assault.’’
Overall crime in the Macedon Ranges was up 4.7 per cent to 2273 offences.
Drug use and possession figures remained relatively stable, while those for property damage (220 to 188) and arson, including illegal burnoffs, went down (49 to 32). The number of burglaries jumped from 221 to 242. Assaults went up from 187 to 214, and weapons offences from 85 to 101.
There were 33 reports of number plates being stolen in the Macedon Ranges, up from 17, which reflected a statewide trend.
In Hume, overall crime went up 14.9 per cent to 20,536 offences. Arrests for drug use and possession leapt 55 per cent to 959, while for dealing and trafficking they rose 50 per cent to 184. Weapons and explosives arrests increased from 2116 to 2635.
Sunbury crackdown
Acting Inspector Phil Nash said Hume police were cracking down on drug offenders, especially in and around Sunbury.
‘‘Hume is a fast-growing area and the statistics are reflective of that growth,’’ he said. “[In relation to drugs] we’re arresting more people and doing some great work, especially in Sunbury under Senior Sergeant Tim Douglas.”
Hume’s assault, arson and property damage figures remained stable, but burglary increased 16.7 per cent to 2186 incidents. The number of thefts from motor vehicles went up almost 20 per cent to 2387. Total thefts jumped from 5796 to 6517.
The family violence rate in Hume went up 3.4 per cent to 1565 per 100,000 people. Breaches of orders in Hume increased 24 per cent to 2635.
with Alexandra Laskie
