Crime at all–time lows

MANSFIELD Shire has recorded a 10.1 per cent drop in the number of criminal incidents reported compared with those from the same time last year. The decrease sees the shire with its lowest recorded criminal incident rate in the past decade. Figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) last week show an overall drop in incidents of 321 from year ending September 2022 compared with 357 in year ending September 2021. Mansfield continues to sit well below the state crime average, with a criminal incident rate per 100,000 population of 3115.2 compared with the Victorian rate of 5217.5. Incidents in the Mansfield township have decreased, with 145 recorded in the past twelve months compared with 191 in 2021. Incidents within the home and on the street also saw big drops. Breaches of family violence orders have also declined, confirming a welcome downward trend reported in July, after a spike the shire experienced in statistics from March this year. The surrounding areas of Jamieson and Tolmie saw small increases in total criminal incidents, while Maindample experienced the largest increase of seven to 25 incidents – these statistics are consistent with and likely include those previously reported in mid–year data. Bonnie Doon recorded a small decrease in criminal incidents, confirming the area's serenity. State–wide, there was a decrease of 4.3 per cent in the criminal incident rate. "The notable decreases in recorded crime levels during the COVID–19 pandemic period have contributed to the lowest Victorian criminal incident rates since 2005," said CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley. "Decreases in Breaches of Chief Health Officer public orders are the main driver of the decrease in alleged offender incidents in the last 12 months, with offences for Breaches of Chief Health Officer directions related to the COVID–19 pandemic measures peaking during 2020." Overall drug related offending remained down over this twelve–month period, with a decrease of 2,553 offences from the year before. This includes decreases in drug dealing/trafficking of 749 offences, drug cultivation/manufacture of 315 offences, and drug use/possession of 1852 offences. Youth offending remains a key area of focus for Victoria Police, with recent data revealing in the twelve months to September 2022, youths aged between 10 and 17 were responsible for 16,882 incidents – an increase of 1343 or 8.6 per cent from the year before. While the vast majority of criminal offences remain at low levels, there were a couple of key categories that did increase, including overall assault offences, which increased by 491 offences or 1.1 per cent when compared to last year. Dangerous and negligent acts endangering people was one of the few categories to increase, up 405 offences from the previous year. This increase was predominantly driven by an increase of 392 dangerous driving offences. Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said it's really pleasing to see total crime in Victoria well down on previous years. "While we anticipate overall crime will increase gradually as we move further away from the pandemic, Victoria Police will be doing everything we can to keep crime as low as possible," said Mr Nugent. "Unfortunately, all offending cannot be prevented and when serious crimes occur, we will respond and ensure that those responsible are arrested as soon as possible. "In the past 12 months we've also seen a reduction in the number of family violence incidents, offences and breaches of family violence orders, which is really positive. "Over the summer months when the community is celebrating with family and friends, they can be assured that Victoria Police will be working hard so that they can do that safely." Neighbouring shire Strathbogie also experienced a notable 13.6 per cent drop in criminal incidents, while the Wangaratta and Alpine shires remained steady with a mild 1.3 decrease and 0.3 per cent increase respectively.