Crime Reduction Teams introduced to hound Geelong’s serial offenders

High-risk offenders across Geelong will be targeted by new teams of police officers in an attempt to combat soaring crime numbers across the region.

Senior Constable Andrea Dell and Sergeant Andrew Harris. Picture: Mike Dugdale (File picture)

High-risk offenders across Geelong will be targeted by new teams of police officers in an attempt to combat soaring crime numbers across the region.

Crime Reduction Teams were being deployed across Geelong starting from Monday, with their sole responsibility to proactively monitor high-risk offenders.

Officers in these teams will case manage people with an extensive history of committing crimes, such as burglaries, robberies, assaults, and car thefts.

No new officers will be deployed to the region, however Victoria Police maintains the new responsibilities won’t impact its ability to respond to emergency situations.

A Victoria Police spokesman said teams would not only target those directly causing community harm, but also “key influencers who encourage others to commit crime”.

“Crime Reduction Team officers will have two main objectives when engaging with offenders – stopping further offending and providing support pathways that encourage rehabilitation,” he said.

“The Crime Reduction Teams will have consistent interactions with the person, their family and relevant support agencies for as long as they are monitored.

“These interactions will include bail compliance checks, referrals to support services and diversion programs, patrols of locations where the person frequents and has offended previously, conducting Firearm Prohibition Order checks, and extending necessary support and referrals to the individual’s family.”

Teams have also been set up in metropolitan Melbourne, with the aim to have teams statewide by the start of 2025.

It comes only weeks after new data revealed crime within Greater Geelong had risen for the second year in a row.

According to data released by Crime Statistics Agency, criminal incidents in the region had risen 11 per cent to 16,855 in the year ending March, 2024.

Burglaries soared from 1401 to 1600, robberies from 63 to 92, while theft increased from 4617 to 5261.

Assault numbers remained relatively steady, with a slight decline from 1894 to 1872.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Crime Reduction Teams introduced to hound Geelong’s serial offenders