By Alesha Capone
Family violence offences have reached a new high in Wyndham, according to latest crime statistics released today.
The state’s Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) has released crime data for the year ending June 30, 2021.
While overall crimes in Wyndham fell slightly, from 17,558 offences in 2019-20 to 17,428 in 2020-21, family violence-related offences continued to soar.
The statistics show domestic violence increased 16.1 per cent in Wyndham, from 3423 incidents to 3975 incidents.
This follows a 15.1 per cent rise in family incidents recorded in the municipality in the 12 months to March 31.
The latest data reveals that there were 1795 breaches of family violence orders committed in Wyndham, making it the highest type of crime committed in the municipality, followed by other thefts (1626 incidents) and stealing from a motor vehicle (1622 incidents).
There was also 1074 family violence assaults in Wyndham, compared to 971 in the previous 12 months.
Sexual offences rose from 464 incidents to 702 incidents.
The data shows that in the year to June 30, 3083 females in Wyndham and 885 males were affected by family violence.
The most common age group to be affected by family violence was 25 to 34 year-olds (1140 people).
CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said that across Victoria, there has been increases in breaches of orders including family violence orders and chief health officer directions.
Across the state, family violence incidents increased by 5.9 per cent, to reach 93,440 crimes in total.
The state opposition spokesperson for police, community safety and victim support, Brad Battin, said that COVID-19 lockdowns “have driven family violence to record highs”.
Apart from family violence, other crimes to have risen in Wyndham include:
-Public health offences rose from 210 incidents to 1193 incidents;
-Homicides increased to eight murders, from three or less in the previous 12 months (the exact number of homicides from the 2019-20 financial year was not stated, due to privacy reasons);
-Drug offences increased from 834 to 891;
-Firearms offences grew from 100 crimes to 173 crimes; and
-Motor vehicle thefts increased from 604 to 709.
Crimes that decreased in Wyndham included aggravated robberies (from 180 to 133 offences) and residential burglaries (from 705 to 902).
Out of all the offences recorded in Wyndham, 46.5 per cent resulted in a summons or arrest and 35.9 per cent remain unsolved.
On a suburb-by-suburb basis, Werribee recorded the most crimes, with 4769 incidents, followed by Hoppers Crossing on 2923 incidents.
Point Cook recorded 2635 crimes, Tarneit 2300 crimes and Wyndham Vale 1741 crimes.
