By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Crime rates in Geelong and Surf Coast have jumped dramatically in the past 12 months, according to latest figures.
Surf Coast suffered a jump of 33 per cent, Geelong’s rate rose 16 per cent and Borough of Queenscliffe was up 23 per cent.
Geelong West and Manifold Heights shared the biggest increase, 122 per cent.
Torquay was next with a 77 per cent jump, while Ocean Grove was 24.5, Barwon Heads 17.9 and Portarlington 21.5.
Police recorded 20,612 offences in the region for the 12 months ending 30 September, up from 17,802 in the corresponding period the previous year.
Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay said the figures showed disturbing trends, with overall crime rates soaring across Victoria.
“Statewide, under Daniel Andrews crime rates are soaring alarmingly, with sexual offences rising from 10,564 to 11,538, up 9.2 per cent,” Mr Ramsay said.
“Just as disturbing is the increase in drug-related crime, up 16.9 per cent, and weapons and explosives offences, up 16.1 per cent.
“The number of offences recorded by police in the year to 30 September 2015 was 482,959, up six per cent from 455,728 for the same period last year.
“Under Daniel Andrews crime rates are up but police numbers are down and our streets are less safe than they were a year ago.
South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said he had received many complaints about property crimes.
“There’s almost a doubling of the crime rate in Torquay, which shows there are issues on the Surf Coast,” he said.
“Waurn Ponds Police Station is operating with half a complement at the moment. There should be 32 but there are 17 actually at the station.
“Over the last 12 months we’ve seen total number of police drop by nine across state. There’s no recruiting going on.
“Premier Daniel Andrews and his part-time Police Minister Wade Noonan have vacated the floor when it comes to law and order.”
Mr Noonan’s spokesperson said the figures were higher because of an increase in justice procedures in line with new offences introduced in 2013.
A major factor in Geelong’s increase was the work of a “one-man crime wave” charged with 500 deception and 500 theft offences, the spokesperson said.
