A spike in burglaries, thefts and family violence has fuelled a 9.7 per cent jump in crime across Wyndham.
New data released by the Crime Statistics Agency reveals crime across the municipality rose from 13,025 offences in the 2014 calendar year to 14,285 in 2015.
Incidents contributing to the rise were family violence, theft and burglary offences, assaults, and drug, weapons and explosives offences.
In particular, theft from motor vehicles jumped from 1676 recorded offences in 2014 to 1931 last year. This rising trend continued early this year, with 200 cars broken into during January alone and more than 100 offences recorded for the first half of March.
On the flip side, there was a drop in property damage, deception offences, and disorderly and offensive conduct.
Wyndham police’s Inspector Frank Sells said the spike in crime was in line with an 8.1 per cent statewide increase in crime over the same period.
Inspector Sells said he would be boosting resources for Wyndham’s burglary, vehicle crime and community safety teams in a bid to combat the rising crime rate.
“We often see the same offenders coming back through the system, and this drives a lot of crime,” Inspector Sells said.
“Theft of building materials from construction sites, theft of number plates and of personal property left unattended or unsecured are all contributing to increases in crime. New housing estates, including newly completed homes, have been targeted by thieves and we really need the community to report any suspicious activity,” he said.
“Across Wyndham, I ask the community to help us reduce crime by taking responsibility for their property … never leave personal property unattended, even for the shortest period.
“Lock up your bicycles, cars and homes. Don’t leave items on display in your car and don’t leave boxes from newly purchased items on the nature strip,” Inspector Sells said.
