Worst five offences in every Melbourne LGA revealed
The crimes that plague Melbourne’s suburbs have been revealed, with a spike in car break-ins and shoplifting — driven by swarming youth gangs — leading to an increase in thefts across Victoria. SEE YOUR AREA’S WORST CRIMES
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Theft is the most committed crime across suburban Melbourne.
A Leader analysis on the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria’s year ending June 2019 data has found stealing was the most common offence in each local government area.
Casey, in the southeast, had the most thefts with 7538, and the highest number of offences in total with 21,624, followed closely by Hume in the north with 7461 and 21,086 respectively.
The Macedon Ranges saw the sharpest growth in total offences with an increase of 18.6 per cent to 2489, while Moonee Valley had the largest decrease, 10.6 per cent, to 7902 offences.
Theft offences included car theft, theft from a motor vehicle, shoplifting, bicycle theft, receiving or handling stolen goods and fare evasion.
Other crimes that featured prominently were breaches of orders, burglary and assault.
SEE THE WORST FIVE CRIMES IN YOUR MUNICIPALITY:
When the figures were released in September, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said theft had increased 2.8 per cent, which equated to 4623 more offences.
He said that was driven by increases in theft from motor vehicles and shoplifting, which had increased by 24,436 offences or 7.6 per cent.
About 20,000 number plates were stolen in the past 12 months.
He said people could do their bit to reduce the crime by fitting antitheft screws and parking cars in garages.
Deputy Commissioner Patton said swarming, where youths raid retail stores and steal goods, had been a driver behind the increase in shoplifting offences.
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“We are particularly focused on that. We recognise it’s a significant issue … for retailers and the confidence of community and that they can be free and safe when they’re wandering around shopping centres,” he said.
He said Operation Burns, which was set up to combat swarming, had arrested 34 offenders aged between 13 and 19 years old.
“We’ve got more police on the ground, with more police on the ground we’re seeing more proactive work holding people to account,” he said.