By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG is a much safer place to live than media reports might suggest, according to the region’s new top cop.
Social media platforms also contributed to a distorted perceptions of crime levels in Geelong, said new local area commander Inspector Graham Banks.
Official statistics back his claim, showing Geelong has a lower crime rate than other Victorian regional cities.
“Regional cities get a big increase in actual crime but you’re more likely to be a victim of crime in other places than Geelong,” Insp Banks told the Independent.
“It’s a lot safer place than sometimes the modern media suggests. You see one fight on Facebook and, yes, it seems to almost go global.
“It gives a false perception of being dangerous when it’s actually a safe place to walk around.”
However, criminal offences across Geelong increased almost 30 per cent in the past four years. Greater Geelong’s crime rate last year was up 10 per cent on 2013, while Surf Coast’s increased 16.5 per cent.
Family incidents in Geelong increased from 1351 in 2010 to 2841 last year. Vehicle thefts numbered 799 last year, 649 in 2013 and 559 in 2010.
Central Geelong recorded the most offences, up from 3597 to 3919, but Whittington and Corio had the largest percentage increases. Whittington jumped 50 per cent from 1314 to 1980 and Corio was up almost 35 per cent from 2927 to 3941.
Insp Banks rejected claims that Geelong police were under-resourced.
The level of police unit responses had improved with increased staffing in Geelong, he said.
“Geelong has been the beneficiary of that and we’ve got better at identifying where a van should be and when. A lot of work has gone into that space.”
Insp Banks identified the drug ice and family violence as key challenges for Geelong police.
“With family violence there’s a greater willingness to report and for other people to engage when they see something – people know neighbours will call police.
“Geelong has one of the best family violence practices to ensure recidivists are appropriately managed and a lot of its practices have been adopted statewide.”
Insp Banks said Geelong’s long-running central city woes required short and long-term strategies.
“It’s a community, not just a matter of a policing presence.
“There’s an environmental design that needs to be considered to make it attractive. When there’s a crowd it’s a safe but when there’s only a dozen people, a person acting unsavoury makes it hard to visit.
“When hundreds or thousands are there it’s much safer.”
