By Luke Voogt
Crime has jumped by 7.8 per cent in Geelong and 11.9 per cent on the Surf Coast in 12 months, according to the latest Crime Statistics Agency data.
The percentage increases take into account population growth, with total offences increasing 10.2 per cent in Geelong and 14.7 per cent on the Surf Coast.
Geelong burglaries increased by 16 per cent, compared to the 12 months to June 2019, with aggravated residential burglaries increasing by 37 per cent.
But the increase in aggravated burglaries might not be due to people being at home more often during COVID-19 restrictions, Geelong Inspector Bruce Thomas said.
“We get a lot of creep-in aggravated burglaries. The criminals are going into houses, stealing keys and subsequently stealing cars. A lot of these take place at night so people are at home then anyway.”
Motor vehicle theft was up 12.6 per cent and theft from a motor vehicle 17.8 per cent. Inspector Thomas said the majority of offences occurred from vehicles being left unlocked.
Family violence offences increased 13.6 per cent in Geelong and 21.5 per cent on the Surf Coast.
Inspector Thomas attributed this to more people reporting family violence, rather than people spending more time at home and increased stress due to COVID-19.
Police were contacting families identified as high-risk through Operation Ribbon, he said.
Assaults were up 4.4 per cent, with assaults against police up 37 per cent.
While Inspector Thomas was disappointed at “the willingness of offenders to disrespect and assault emergency services workers”, he said police were well-trained and equipped to deal with such situations.
Drug dealing was down 83 per cent but Inspector Thomas said “I’m not sure whether we can attribute that to the COVID stuff.”
Geelong recorded 212 breaches of COVID-19 restrictions, less than one per cent of total offences.
Charlemont (84.4), Point Lonsdale (81.8), Manifold Heights (77.9) and Hamlyn Heights (53.3) recorded the highest percentage increases in offences.
Marshall, Little River, Idented Head and Portarlington recorded percentage decreases of 33.6, 27.8, 36.3 and 17.5 respectively.
Geelong crime percentage changes by location to June 2020:
Little River -27.8
Lara 0.4
Lovely Banks 42.6
Bell Park 6 per cent
Corio 5.2 per cent
Norlane 28.8
North Shore 44.8
Bell Post Hill 12.2
Drumcondra 23.9
Hamlyn Heights 53.3
North Geelong 26.6
Rippleside 8 per cent
Belmont 5.7 per cent
Grovedale -16.8
Highton 15.6
Marshall -33.6
Wandana Heights 15.5
Waurn Ponds 8.7
Armstrong Creek 26.5
Charlemont 84.4
Mount Duneed 5.6
Fyansford 19.2
Geelong West 36
Herne Hill 34.4
Manifold Heights 77.9
Breakwater -4.9
East Geelong 9.8
Newcomb -15.8
St Albans Park -9.8
Thomson 33.5
Whittington 18.6
Geelong 42.1
Newtown 32.8
South Geelong 26
Ceres -23
Clifton Springs 7.1
Curlewis 18.8
Drysdale 31.2
Mannerim level
Marcus Hill level
Wallington 10.8
Bellarine -36.3
Idented Head -36.3
Portarlington -17.5
St Leonards -6.9
Leopold 22.3
Moolap 8.8
Point Lonsdale 81.8
Ocean Grove 28.5
Barwon 9.2
Breamlea -83.3
Connewarre 77.8
