Cade Lucas
Crime in Wyndham is up by 14 per cent compared to this time last year, one of the highest increases in Melbourne according to new data.
Crime Statistics Agency data released on Thursday, show that for the year ending March 2023, 18,155 offences were recorded in Wyndham compared to 15,926 in the 12 months to March 2022.
The 14 per cent increase in Wyndham is the seventh highest in metropolitan Melbourne and by far the highest in the western suburbs.
The neighbouring council areas of Brimbank and Melton recorded modest increases of 2.9 and 0.6 per cent respectively, while crime in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong fell.
Westgate Police Divisional Commander Superintendent Craig Peel said that while the increase was concerning, it had to be seen in context.
“While crime in Wyndham has risen approximately 14 per cent when compared year-on-year, the increase is much smaller when compared with pre-COVID levels (approximately five per cent),” he said.
“The increase with pre-COVID levels in Wyndham can be in part be attributed to the steady rise in car theft and items stolen from cars, which is a big focus for local police.”
Stealing from a vehicle was the most common offence in Wyndham, with 2172 recorded, up from 1756 the previous year.
Superintendent Peel said vehicle crime was a particularly focus for police.
“There is undoubtedly a small cohort of offenders who are looking to enter unlocked homes to steal car keys,” he said.
“Police are out patrolling the community every night, recovering stolen vehicles and arresting offenders, but we also ask the community take some simple measures to help prevent their vehicle from being stolen or broken into.”
Werribee recorded the most offences of any suburb in Wyndham, with 5120, 2000 more than second placed Hoppers Crossing and an increase of 700 on the previous 12 months.
Houses were by far the most common crime location, accounting for 7251 offences, more than double streets, lanes and footpaths which were the next highest at 2357.
