The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath is demanding the Andrews Government crackdown on crime in Latrobe Valley.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions being in place for months, Ms Bath said Latrobe Valley has seen a spate of serious criminal incidents.
The latest crime statistics indicate shows a further 1.1% increase in the criminal incident rate over the last 12 months in Latrobe with 13,303 incidents reported per 100,000 estimated residential population.
“Latrobe Valley continues to have the second highest criminal incident rate in Victoria, and it’s a badge our community does not deserve to wear”, said Ms Bath.
“At a community meeting held earlier this year, Traralgon residents expressed concern for community safety, rising crime and their frustration at the lack of police resources and delay in incident response times to attend callouts.
“Much more needs to be done, we need more police on our streets, more patrols and our hardworking officers need to be adequately resourced.”
Under Daniel Andrews crime has risen 16.8% in Latrobe. Trends in the Latrobe region show over the past five years:
- Residential aggravated burglary up 229 per cent
- Non-residential burglary up 168 percent
- Theft up 45 per cent
- Sexual offenses up 41 per cent
- Breaching family violence order up 100 per cent
- Resisting or hindering an officer up 605 per cent
- Receiving or handling stolen goods up 117 per cent
Ms Bath said, “Theses statistics validate community concerns.”
“Furthermore, the Victorian Crime Statistic Agency report indicates the community hotspots for crime across Victoria include service stations, railway carparks, shopping complexes and hospitals,” said Ms Bath.
“Most concerning is overall leap in youth offending, where people aged 15-19 years made up the largest cohort of alleged offenders for crimes against the person with 7,754 alleged incidents.
“While the number of youths aged 10-17 years who have been arrested across Victoria has risen 70% over the last five years for committing crimes against the person.
“I am calling on Daniel Andrews to develop a crime action plan for Latrobe Valley, get tough on serious crime and address the root causes of crime.”
