POLICE figures released last week revealed an alarming rise in violent crime across Wyndham in the 12 months to July.
Aggravated burglaries jumped 96 per cent, while rape was up more than 26 per cent and assault up 3 per cent.
The city’s overall crime rate increased 17 per cent, well above the state average of 8.2 per cent.
A sharp spike in family violence across Victoria prompted the state government to promise an extra $16 million for counselling and support services for victims.
Chief commissioner Ken Lay attributed family violence, drug offences and organised crime as the major contributing factors to rising crime.
Mr Lay said family violence was driving up the number of reported offences in assaults, property damage, rapes, abductions, kidnap and harassment. Family incident-related assaults accounted for 38.1 per cent of all assaults in the state last year.
The chief commissioner says police are processing more offenders and the state’s crime rate is down more than 18 per cent on a decade ago.
In the wake of these damning figures, the opposition predictably called on Police Minister Peter Ryan to be sacked.
But that’s not the answer. Rather than engaging in bickering and political point-scoring, the government must focus on making Wyndham, and Victoria, a safer place.
While extra funding for family violence victims and an announcement last month of 350 additional police officers — including 20 for the area covering Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong — is a promising start, it’s only the beginning.
The next election might be two years away, but law and order is sure to be at the forefront of Victorians’ minds when they cast their vote.
The Coalition will need to deliver on its commitment to add 1700 officers across Victoria by November 2014 or it could face the prospect of being a one-term government.
Cameron Tait is chief of staff at the Weekly.
