Police to target surging crime

Alex de Vos
A “significant” rise in crime has prompted police to launch a series of operations around Geelong, the city’s top cop has revealed.
Police statistics for the year to the end of January show a 12 per cent increase in overall crime.
Domestic assaults led the rise with a 25 per cent increase, according to the statistics.
Geelong Police Chief Inspector Wayne Carson struggled to explain the jump in domestic assault.
Police received 294 reports of domestic assault in the 12 months compared to 235 for the same time the previous year.
“In Geelong, April and July had the highest number of reports. Usually the figures rise over the festive season in December and January but Geelong goes against the trend.”
Geelong’s Domestic Violence Resource Centre said an increase in calls for help mirrored the police statistics.
“We’ve definitely noticed an increase in domestic assaults,” a centre spokesperson said.
“It could be due to the fact that the new Family Violence Law Protection Act has come into force and all the recent advertising about domestic violence.”
Insp Carson said property crime had also risen.
He blamed most of the rise on young vandals running wild in Geelong suburbs.
November and December were particularly “horrific” for vandalism, he said.
Insp Carson labelled Grovedale a “problem area” before urging residents to report suspicious behaviour.
The police statistics also revealed a spike in thefts from cars.
“We urge people to lock their cars, take their valuables with them or keep them out of sight,” Insp Carson said.
He expressed frustration at the statistics.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into reducing crime over the last year and it’s disappointing to see an increase.”
Insp Carson said police were taking action to reduce the crime trends.
“One operation involves saturating a problem area with police. We go into the area and if we see anyone breaking the law then we charge that person,” he said.
Insp Carson said the statistics also revealed improvements in some crime rates.
“Street assaults”, car thefts and residential burglaries were down, he said.
Insp Carson attributed the fall in assaults to an expanded police presence in Geelong on Saturday nights.
Last month police reported a “significant dive” in crime on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Insp Carson attributed the decrease to police sending extra officers to the peninsula during the summer holiday period.
“Overall, it was generally quiet,” he said.