Thursday, 14 June, 2018

New figures released today by the independent Crime Statistics Agency show the six-year crime trend that started in 2011 has been turned around, with people in the Latrobe Valley experiencing a decline in crime rates for the past 12 months.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the investment in 3,135 new police – the biggest police recruitment drive in Victoria’s history – funded by the Andrews Labor Government, was starting to have an impact on the ground.

Crime rates in the Valley are down by 7.4 per cent in the last 12 months: burglaries/break and enter offences are down 21.3 per cent, theft is down 23 percent, and assault and related offences are down by 8.6 per cent.

In fact, crime has dropped across Victoria, with 68 of Victoria’s 79 local government areas experiencing decreases in recorded offence rates from the previous 12 months – with a 9.5 per cent decrease in the crime rate.

Despite these community safety gains family violence remains one of the most significant issues facing the Victorian community with demand for services and support continuing to increase. That’s why the Labor Government is deploying family violence police specialists to communities across Victoria to help tackle the issue.

Following the unprecedented $2 billion in Victoria Police to deliver the biggest recruitment drive in its history – Gippsland will receive 25 new police as part of the 825 scheduled to graduate from the academy over the next 12 months

This year’s Community Safety Statement builds on the record police investment with new laws, more specialist police, equipment and technology to crack down on serious and organised crime.

The Latrobe local government area is serviced by five police stations including Boolarra and Churchill, and the 24-hour police stations in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“The independent crime statistics released today highlight the relentless work police are doing – day in, day out – to keep people in the Valley safe.”

“While these are promising figures there is always more to be done to drive down crime further – that’s why we’re making record investments to give police the resources, powers and equipment they need to keep us safe.” 

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“More police in the Valley will mean more police patrolling the streets and more police employed in specialist roles to prevent crime and prosecute offenders – with more to come over the coming years.”

“Latrobe Valley police are working hard to target issues including burglaries and theft, which we can see reflected in these latest statistics.”