By Esther Lauaki
Crime in Sunbury continues a downward trend, falling 3 per cent in the year to June.
Latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency revealed there were 2881 offences recorded in Sunbury between June 1, 2017 and May 31 this year – down from 2993 in the previous 12 months.
Across Hume, crime fell by 8 per cent overall, with the municipality recording its lowest crime rate since 2016. Victoria’s crime rate fell 7 per cent.
Sunbury’s falling crime rate was driven by a reduction in justice procedure offences, down 24 per cent to 461 offences (from 609), and drug offences, down 7 per cent.
However, crimes against the person were up from 465 offences to 499 (a 6 per cent rise) and public order and security offences rose 7 per cent to 168 offences.
Sunbury also recorded a less than 1 per cent increase in property and deception offences, despite an 18 per cent drop in burglaries, which reflected the statewide trend.
Crime Statistics Agency chief statistician Catherine Andersson said that a decrease in the criminal incident rate across Victoria over the past 12 months was driven largely by a reduction in property and deception incidents – with burglary incidents the lowest recorded in seven years.
In the Macedon Ranges, overall crime fell by about 5 per cent, to its lowest level since 2016.
Total offences in the region dropped to 2389 from 2526 the previous year.
Macedon Ranges Inspector Chris Large told Star Weekly earlier this year that the execution of drug warrants across the Macedon
Ranges was paying off and police were working hard to keep the community safe.
“We know that illicit drug use can be linked to property crime so this will remain a focus for us over the next 12 months,” Inspector Large said.
He said theft was an area of concern and Macedon Ranges police are running a number of operations to help car owners secure their vehicles, including having one-way screws installed on their number plates.
The Macedon Ranges also recorded a 29 per cent rise in justice procedure offences while there were significant decreases in drug crime, public order and security offences, as well as crimes against the person.
