Coronavirus lockdown sees crime fall in Moreland and Hume
The pandemic appears to be driving crime down in Melbourne’s northwest as more people stay home. And in more good news, police are slapping the crooks they catch with extra charges.
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Crime in Melbourne’s northwest appears to be falling during the coronavirus pandemic as more people stay home under lockdown measures.
Police in Hume and Moreland said there generally seemed to be a downward trend in offending over the past month.
But in a “double whammy” for crooks, Hume Inspector Anthony Brown said those out committing crimes, such as burglaries and stealing cars, were also getting hit with extra fines for flouting stay-at-home COVID-19 restrictions.
“Where people aren’t complying with the Chief Health Officer’s instructions, in addition to any other charges being laid, offenders are also being issued with on the spot fines where appropriate,” he said.
A 21-year-old Roxburgh Park P-plater and his three mates were each hit with $1652 fines for breaching restrictions when police caught him speeding while over the blood alcohol limit in Thomastown on April 12.
The driver told the Greensborough Highway Patrol they were just catching up to ‘chill’ after he was clocked travelling at 169 km/h in a 100 zone on the Metropolitan Ring Road.
Two Kurunjang men and a pair of 15-year-old boys allegedly attempting to steal from parked cars in the Brookfield area were also fined for breaching restrictions when they were arrested in stolen cars following a police pursuit on Sunday afternoon.
Insp Brown said a number of Hume residents had been phoning stations or the police assistance line to report breaches of coronavirus restrictions.
He said it was also important people didn’t become complacent despite being home more and continued to lock doors, windows and cars and remove valuables to help prevent crime.
In Moreland, police said crime across most categories was seeing a reduction, including offences against a person, offences against property and general behaviour offences.
Brunswick Senior Sergeant Michael Moloney said non-family violence assaults were an example of a crime that had declined since the pandemic started.
“The raw data over the very short period of time shows decreasing numbers, but again, the capture is only a very short period of time,” he said.
“There’s no more alcohol venues, people aren’t out and about so we aren’t seeing that street-based or socialising-based assault complaints, so they’re dropping.
“Sexual assault is down because we’re not getting the date rape scenarios because people aren’t out socialising and looking to attract friends or partners.”
However, incidents of street robberies have stayed relatively the same.
Moreland Inspector Brian Matthews also said offending appeared to be a little bit quieter and police were particularly focused on family violence and mental health.
“We’re really hoping that doesn’t come up too much, it (hasn’t yet) so that’s a good thing,” he said.
“The reality is there’s definitely not as many cars or people out in public, and sadly a lot of businesses have shut down and the amount of people has definitely declined.”
Commercial burglaries have also been a focus for Victoria Police, with 54 people arrested during an operation between April 1-8 and 110 offenders fined $1652 for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
Fresh figures from the Crime Statistics Agency are due in June.
Since March 21, police have conducted 27,800 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state and issued almost 2000 fines.
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