Family violence drives up Vic crime rates

25 May 2012, 5:55 pm   -   Source: AFP
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Victorian police say the rise in the state's crime statistics is driven mainly by increasing family violence crimes and in the greater detection of drug offences.

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Victoria's crime rate has risen but police say it is too early to tell whether a gloomy economy is among the reasons.

Police say the statistics show the rise is driven mainly by increasing family violence crimes and in the greater detection of drug offences.

Crime across the state rose by 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to March, compared to the same period the previous year.

Crimes against people, which includes family violence-related crime, went up 10.4 per cent while drug offences rose by 14.7 per cent.

Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said it showed victims of family violence were becoming increasingly confident to turn to police.

Ms Nolan said family violence was grossly under-reported and the recorded rate was beginning to reflect the true figure.

"We don't see this abating any time soon as police and the community continue to focus on family violence being unacceptable and we will continue to see this actually driving up our crime rates," she told reporters.

Ms Nolan attributed part of the rise in the crime rate to increased police efforts in detecting, investigating and charging criminals, particularly over drugs.

But police are concerned robberies have risen 5.6 per cent, with some local commanders saying the figure is in part attributable to youth crime.

Much of it related to the theft of cash and high-value portable items such as mobile phones, MP3 players and tablet devices.

Police have responded by increasing visible and covert patrols and targeting hot spots and repeat offenders.

Youth resource officers are also going out with some patrols to engage with young people, Ms Nolan added.

She said economic factors could play a part in the increased crime rate but it is too early to tell.

"Probably the last time we saw this sort of increase was around 1998-99," she said.

"For us, it's concerning and we're obviously very committed to turning it around as quickly as we can."

Ms Nolan said police expected the rollout of 1700 new police and 940 protective service officers to result in a rise in detected crime.

Premier Ted Baillieu said there were more police on the streets now than previously so it was not surprising reported crime had risen.

"I am always disappointed to see crime figures go up," he told reporters.

"But we have seen more reporting and more detection."

Mr Baillieu said the more focus there was on addressing domestic violence the better.

Opposition police spokesman James Merlino said the government needed to implement a family violence and jobs creation strategy to tackle rising crime.

"We need to treat family violence in the same way we treat street violence," he told reporters.

Mr Merlino criticised the government's cuts to education and TAFE for adding pressure on families in a time of a failing economy and high unemployment.

He also criticised the government's spending on new prisons, saying it had its priorities wrong.
 

Violence , Crime Rates , Victorian Police

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