Crime rises as heroin ‘making a comeback’

ERIN PEARSON
Geelong is struggling with an “epidemic” of crime as heroin makes a comeback in the city, according to the city’s top cop.
Geelong Police Inspector Chris Gawne said burglary statistics were up 60 per cent on last year after thieves ransacked more than 30 stores and 250 cars in April alone.
Insp Gawne said drug addicts had a role in the crime surge.
“Anecdotally, intelligence suggests (heroin) is making a comeback in Geelong,” he said.
“We believe it’s one of the drivers in the spike in crime we are seeing.”
Police have revealed burglaries on 11 Surf Coast, 10 East Geelong and nine Geelong businesses in the past few weeks.
Geelong police are also investigating burglaries on businesses at Corio Shopping Centre and on a Pakington Street pizza restaurant as well as an armed robbery at a Belmont stereo store in the past fortnight.
Insp Gawne also urged owners to lock vehicles and remove valuables after reports of more than 500 thefts from cars since January 1, double the city’s average.
“I’m just stunned at the amount of people that won’t heed the message and continue to leave their cars unlocked and property on display,” he said
“A motor car is often the biggest financial commitment a person has, yet they’re so blasé about locking it.”
Insp Gawne said youths and career criminals, recently out of jail, were also responsible for many of the thefts and robberies.
State Drug Taskforce Detective Senior Sergeant Dale Slynn told the Independent Victorian heroin use had “plateaued” but remained the “major drug of concern”.
Any increase in heroin use around Geelong would be against the state trend, he said.
“Heroin use skyrocketed at the turn of the century and at the same time there was a significant increase in burglaries and thefts. The two are related,” Snr Sgt Slynn said.
Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Nelson said the organisation’s drug and alcohol support service had recorded an “increase in demand”.
“Drug use doesn’t necessarily lead to illegal activity but in some cases people with an addiction will turn to theft to fund it,” she said.