Child abuse, domestic attacks on the rise as virus drives crime
Victoria’s streets may be deserted due to coronavirus restrictions but some police are busier than ever as crimes linked to mental health, dangerous driving and child abuse spike.
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While coronavirus lockdowns have quietened much of Victoria, some police are busier than ever.
The sudden and immense shock of the pandemic has brought with it a “significant spike” in crimes linked to mental health, child abuse and dangerous driving.
Specialist units such as the critical incident response team are responding daily to sieges where family violence perpetrators have women or children barricaded in homes or people threatening self-harm.
CIRT negotiator and SenConstable Shane Engelsman said many people had become “overwhelmed” by the stress and uncertainty triggered by the virus.
Last month alone the unit responded to 220 call-outs, including from desperate people who feared they had the virus.
“It has compounded a lot of pre-existing issues relating to mental health,” Sen-Constable Engelsman said.
Abuse against children is also a key concern for police as more adults and kids are home using the internet.
Victoria Police’s joint anti child exploitation team Detective Sen-Constable Daniel Wheelahan said the lockdowns were a “recipe” for danger for vulnerable children.
“We know that in isolation there can be boredom and people might offend against children online or offend against their own child and share it online,” he said.
“Our intelligence reflects that there has already been a substantial increase in online child abuse over the past month.”
Sen-Constable Wheelahan said this was very concerning, particularly given most kids were no longer at school so did not have access to support networks such as teachers, welfare officers and peers.
Children are also using the internet more so are more exposed to online predators.
“It is now more important than ever that parents are vigilant and aware of what their children are doing online,” Sen-Constable Wheelahan said.
With the anticipated rise in family violence offending, police are hard at work tracking down and stopping offenders in their tracks.
Westgate family violence investigation unit Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Lawrence said teams across the state were focused on keeping constant contact with high-risk victims to ensure their safety.
On Tuesday Victoria Police launched Operation Ribbon, a squad of 500 police dedicated to tackling the expected surge in family violence.
More than 100 high-risk offenders have already been tracked down and 13 remanded for crimes against victims.
Police minister Lisa Neville said: “We know that family violence remains a heightened risk during this period of self-isolation, and that’s why this operation will be so critical.”
Meanwhile, speeding drivers are causing greater danger on the roads, particularly main arterials where traffic has drastically reduced.
Assistant Commissioner for roads Libby Murphy said less traffic was not an excuse to speed.
“Breaking the law and speeding is just one of many bad driver behaviours Victoria Police continues to see in the current climate,” she said.
“Despite all the warnings unfortunately some people continue to speed, drink, take drugs and drive.
“Everyone responds differently in these unprecedented times, but road trauma does not stop happening.”
However, the state’s road toll has rapidly dropped since the lockdowns were enforced.
The major collision investigation unit attended just five life-threatening or fatal collisions statewide this month compared to about 20 in March.
Detective Sergeant Steve Hill said this was a welcome relief to road police and the community.
Priority-one calls for serious crimes including carjackings have continued “at pace” throughout the lockdowns.
Commercial burglaries have also increased as criminals target vacant retailers and construction sites.
Earlier this month 54 people were arrested in a major operation targeting commercial burglaries and thefts in the CBD and Yarra municipality.
In response to the crime wave, dedicated teams of police and PSOs have begun patrolling at-risk locations including shops, bars and factories after dark.
Criminals are willing to travel long distances after dark and risk big fines to steal amid the shutdown, according to a leading Melbourne security industry figure.
Materials, including timber and valuable copper, were being targeted at building sites brought to an unexpected halt last month, the source said.
Doors, fittings and whitegoods were also being taken.
“Way at the top of the list are the commercial buildings sites,” the security expert said.
The 500-strong coronavirus enforcement squad, Operation Sentinel, has also been busy dealing with the unprecedented crisis.
Constable Madeleine Smith said house parties were the biggest problem.
Offenders were often dobbed in by neighbours and don’t respond well when issued a $1652 fine, she said.
“But most people are abiding by the rules so it’s quite good,” Constable Smith said.
“It’s a heavy fine so it goes to show how serious we are about this.”
WHAT POLICE ARE SAYING
“During a period of isolation there is an increased risk to victims’ safety. The usual risk factors, such as mental health, drugs, alcohol and controlling behaviours are still there. It’s a really challenging time for everyone.”
Westgate Family Violence Unit — Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Lawrence
“We have seen a remarkable decline in the road toll. It’s a great benefit to the community that there is less road trauma.”
Major Collision Investigation Unit —Detective Sergeant Steve Hill
“We noticed a fairly significant spike in incidents at the initial stage of COVID-19 because a lot of people were overwhelmed or uncertain about what was happening or thought they had COVID-19. It has compounded a lot of pre-existing issues relating to mental health.”
Critical Incident Response Team Negotiator and Senior Constable Shane Engelsman
“Most people are abiding by the rules so it’s quite good. The fines we issue are mostly for large gatherings and house parties and people in parks playing sport.”
Operation Sentinel (coronavirus enforcement squad) constable Madeleine Smith
“With more adults home and more children home, it’s a recipe for offending to increase. We know that in isolation there can be boredom and people might offend against children online or offend against their own child and share it online.”
Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team Detective Senior Constable Daniel Wheelahan
DIFFERENT BEAT FOR POLICING
Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton has opened up about the challenges presented by the pandemic, saying he never expected to be confronted by such an unprecedented crisis.
In a rare interview, Mr Ashton said there was “no rule book” for dealing with coronavirus and that he empathises with the public in lockdown.
“It has been very challenging,” he said.
“We have had to reshape how we serve the community in ways we never had to consider before.
“There was no rule book to follow.
“When we have workshopped different emergency management scenarios over the past 20 years they have mostly been around major terrorism.
“This has been a very different thing to respond to.”
Mr Ashton said he understood the community backlash over fines issued during the lockdown.
He assured the public fines would be reviewed and unfair penalties withdrawn.
“Spot checking has put police in a very unusual position because we are telling people they can’t do things that are regularly very common,” he said.
“I understand (the criticism). If you look around the world, it is a consistent thing … people saying cops have a heavy-handed focus. We are no different.”
Mr Ashton congratulated the vast majority of Victorians for abiding by the stay-at-home rules.
However, he said some people continue “to do the wrong thing” and that house parties have been the most disappointing breach.
“People are happy to just have 15 or 20 people at their house for a party. It is a real risk,” Mr Ashton said.
“These thing are easily deferred, but people get cabin fever and decide to have a party and flout the laws.”
Mr Ashton said Protective Service Officers could potentially continue patrols outside transit hubs after the pandemic was over.
Dedicated teams of PSOs have been redeployed to patrol vacant retail and industrial precincts due to a spike in burglaries during the pandemic.
Mr Ashton said: “They are doing a great job preventing a lot of matters and catching people dealing drugs and recovering weapons.”
“We are evaluating it (PSO redeployments) and will advise the minister.”
Mr Ashton confirmed he was prepared to remain in the top job “for several months” beyond his planned retirement in June if required.
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