Stonnington crime: Stalking and sexual offences rise despite overall drop

Crime in Stonnington has dropped in many categories, but there’s one concerning area which has recorded a jump in incidents.

Stalking and harassment offences have risen in Stonnington in the past 12 months, according to the latest crime figures. Generic file picture.

More people were stalked or were victim of sexual offences in Stonnington in the past 12 months despite a broader drop in crime throughout the municipality.

The latest Crime Statistics Agency figures, released on Thursday, showed an overall 4.8 per cent drop in reported crime incidents across Stonnington in the 12 months to June 2021.

The area’s most common offence category, thefts from cars, had a 30 per cent drop with 1226 offences reported, 543 less than the 1769 recorded for the 12 months prior to June 2020.

Stonnington also bucked the trend for an increase in family violence offences across Melbourne.

The area recorded 1009 incidents in the past 12 months, 31 less than the total from the 12 months to June 2020; a decrease of 3 per cent.

Family violence rose by an average of 4.3 per cent across Melbourne.

Despite this, there were 38 more reported stalking or harassment offences (total 130) in Stonnington compared with 92 reported offences in the 12 months prior.

There were also 25 more reported sexual offences in Stonnington in the same time period (total 150), up from the 125 recorded for the 12 months to June 2020.

CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley accredited Covid-19 restrictions on movement to the overall drop in crime across the state.

But Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent warned crime would likely increase to pre-pandemic levels once restrictions are eventually eased.

“(A drop in crime) is to be expected in lockdown,” Mr Nugent said.

“You have people that aren’t able to move around so you have less victim opportunities and less opportunistic crime committed because people are in their homes and their car is parked at home,” he said.

Stonnington police’s family violence unit declined to comment and referred inquiries to Victoria Police media.