By Alesha Capone
The number of criminal offences recorded in Wyndham increased by 9.1 per cent in 2020, although burglaries and theft fell significantly as COVID regulations restricted people’s movements.
Data released by the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency last week shows there were 18,284 offences reported to police in Wyndham during 2020, compared to 16,761 offences in 2019.
More than 1370 offences related to COVID-19 restriction breaches in Wyndham.
Homicide and related offences rose from four in 2019 to eight in 2020, while drug-related crime rose from 826 to 994 offences and sexual offences increased from 451 to 667.
Assaults and related offences also rose from 1471 in 2019 to 1664 offences in the 12 months to December, 2020.
Family violence accounted for a majority of assaults, increasing from 904 to 1026 offences, with other types of assaults growing from 498 to 558 offences.
Overall, there was a 16.7 per cent rise in family violence offences recorded in Wyndham.
Burglaries and break and enters fell from 1337 offences in 2019 to 943 offences in 2020, while the number of thefts recorded dropped from 6311 to 5881 offences.
Residential aggravated burglaries increased slightly from 135 in 2019 to 160 offences in 2020, but residential non-aggravated burglaries fell from 824 to 516 offences.
Inspector Brooke Walker said that decreases in property offences “were a by-product of decreased offender movement and increased guardianship of property during the pandemic”.
“Since the easing of restrictions, police have noticed an increase in burglaries and car thefts however they still remain low,” she said.
“We want to reassure the community that despite last year’s low numbers, police will continue to work hard to prevent and disrupt this kind of offending.
“We continue to focus on known prolific and recidivist car thieves and burglars, whether they are adults or young people stealing for personal financial gain.
“Based on intelligence, police will continue to proactively task officers to patrol known hot spots at key times when we know this type of offending is likely to occur.”
Inspector Walker said that during 2020, robberies decreased in Wyndham by 34 per cent, which was largely attributable to the pandemic and associated restrictions.
People affected by family violence can contact the Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre’s 24/7 response phone line on 1800 015 188 or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au
