Violent crime on the rise in Darebin

Police say there’s no pattern in a big rise of violent crime in Darebin, as latest crime statistics also show robberies and burglaries are on the way down.

Police recorded spikes in assault, stalking and harassment in 2018.

Spikes in assault, stalking and harassment were behind a rise in Darebin crime last year, the latest data reveals.

Assault and related offences jumped 15 per cent to 848 incidents in 2018, while incidents of stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour were up 25 per cent with 174 offences, the Crime Statistics Agency figures show.

Sexual offences were up 10 per cent, with 172 incidents, while weapons and explosives offences were up 17 per cent to 245.

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Robberies were down 19 per cent to 68 incidents.

Overall, there were 11,621 crimes reported, up 1.5 per cent.

Darebin acting Inspector Mark Smith said a rise in assaults was part of a wider trend.

“Darebin was normally a lot higher (in this category) because of the number of licensed premises but that’s no longer a connection,” he said.

“There are no specific patterns we’re seeing.”

When it came to robberies, Insp Smith said the public needed to be smart and stay safe in the winter months.

“(Robbery) is a crime of opportunity,” he said.

“As it gets darker at the end of the day and winter progresses, there is more opportunity and a connected increase.”

Insp Smith said commuters getting off public transport should try putting their phones away on the walk home and stay aware of their surroundings.

A 30 per cent drop in the number of burglaries (1221 offences) was credited to the work of a dedicated investigations unit, he said.

“We throw a lot of resources into it. Darebin has a dedicated burglary, theft and theft from motor cars crew working towards it constantly,” Insp Smith said.

He said proactive policing was also behind a jump in reported drug dealing and trafficking offences, up 17 per cent to 72.

“Cannabis hydro houses are driven a lot through Darebin and Whittlesea and we’ve had a big focus on those,” Insp Smith said.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said more weapons would be taken off the streets thanks to new police powers.

All local police will be able to issue orders compelling firearm owners to surrender their weapons or spend up to five years in jail.

@richardapearce