Crime has decreased across the Bellarine Peninsula according to the latest data released by the Crime Statistics Agency.
For the 12 months ending September 30, the figures revealed that crime had decreased statewide.
Reported incidents of crime decreased in Ocean Grove from 524 to 443 with stealing from a motor vehicle well down from 75 to 41 reports. Non-family violence assaults increased from three to 13, but criminal damage went down 83 to 57 and residential non aggravated burglary halved from 30 to 15.
Clifton Springs reported a decrease of 171 to 127 crimes with property and deception crimes dropping from 103 to 52.
Crimes in Barwon Heads fell from 159 to 136 and Curlewis 154 to 142.
Crimes against the person in Drysdale fell from 46 to 33 in an overall decrease of 259 to 201.
Portarlington was the only Bellarine town to report an increase in crime, going from 178 to 199 with breaches of family orders the main reason, rising from four to 18 although criminal damage decreased from 24 to 13.
St Leonards remained relatively steady with an overall drop from 213 to 204.
“It is really pleasing to see the overall reduction in crime over the past year,” deputy commissioner regional operations Rick Nugent said.
“While we know that COVID restrictions have contributed to the decrease, the result remains a positive outcome for the Victorian community.
“Less crime also means fewer victims, with a reduction in 27,338 victim reports in the last twelve months. This represents the largest decrease in victim reports and lowest count in ten years. Pleasingly, this includes a decrease in person victims with 15,212 fewer person victim reports in the past year.
“We are particularly encouraged by the reduced number of burglaries, robberies and thefts, offences that can be very distressing for victims.
“As we move into the festive season and head into the new year, every Victoria Police officer will be doing everything in their power to keep the crime rate low and community safe.”
