Grovedale records increase in crime amid recent police operations

In recent weeks, three police pursuits have ended in Grovedale, sparking concerns that crime may be on the rise in the quiet suburb.

There has been an increase in crime rates in Grovedale amid recent police operations.

Three police pursuits involving stolen vehicles have ended in Grovedale recently, sparking concerns crime may be rising in the traditionally quiet suburb.

Crime Statistics Agency data found Grovedale recorded a slight increase in crime over the past 12 months.

A total of 919 offences were recorded across Grovedale in the 12 months to March 2023, up from 812 the year prior.

Key crime categories included thefts (321), burglaries (47) and assaults (93).

Lifelong Grovedale resident Hannah Pearce installed CCTV cameras at her home last year after her car window was smashed in a random attack.

She said the offender stole about $600 worth of items.

Ms Pearce’s husband’s car has been broken into twice and a number of tools were stolen.

“He doesn’t leave anything in (his car) anymore as it’s too much of a target,” the 22-year-old said.

“We always make sure to park under our security cameras because otherwise you don’t know what could happen.”

She said her neighbour’s ute was also stolen recently.

Earlier this month, a Whittington teenager dumped an allegedly stolen 4WD ute in a residential street in Grovedale after allegedly leading police on a pursuit.

The police chopper tracked the vehicle from Corio to Grovedale, before it was dumped in Verdal Crt.

On July 27, a man and a woman dumped an allegedly stolen car in a busy Grovedale shopping centre’s car park after leading police on a pursuit.

Police operation in Burdoo Drive and near the Colac Road Red Rooster in Grovedale. Picture: Alan Barber

On July 11, four people were arrested after allegedly leading police on a wild chase across Geelong.

An allegedly stolen Ford Ranger was spotted driving erratically in Bell Park and Geelong West.

The police chopper was called in to track the vehicle, which was dumped in front of residential homes in Enrob Crt, and the occupants were arrested nearby.

10-07-2023 Police car chase and arrest in Enrob Court, Grovedale. Picture: Brad Fleet

On June 23, a man’s body was found in a Grovedale after officers were called to perform a welfare check.

Homicide detectives were initially investigating the grim discovery in Riatta Ave however several days later it was deemed not suspicious.

Despite the spike in crime in Grovedale, Corio and Norlane remain the crime hot spots in the Geelong region.

CSA data showed there were 2,535 offences recorded in Corio in the year ending March 2023 and 2,090 in Norlane.

Neighbouring suburbs of Charlemont and Belmont also recorded an increase in criminal offending within the last 12 months.

Ms Pearce said she didn’t like going out early in the morning in the dark due to growing crime concerns.

“You never know what could happen,” she said.

“It’s a bit scary.”

A Victoria Police spokesman said: “There is no police intelligence indicating a crime increase in Grovedale, nor a co-ordinated trend of offenders dumping stolen vehicles in the area.

He said the police chopper is an “invaluable specialist resources” which is available to local police and beneficial when tracking stolen vehicles.

“This allows us to make rapid arrests to keep the community safe, as we have seen in recent incidents,” he said.

Despite the spike in crime, Ms Pearce said Grovedale was still a family-friendly neighbourhood to live in.

“All our neighbours are great,” she said.

Originally published as Grovedale records increase in crime amid recent police operations