New figures released today by the independent Crime Statistics Agency show the six-year crime trend that started in 2011 has been turned around, with people in Hume experiencing a decline in crime rates for the past 12 months.

Member for Sunbury Josh Bull said the investment in 3135 new police – the biggest police recruitment drive in Victoria’s history – funded by the Andrews Labor Government, was starting to have an impact on the ground – with crime in the Hume local government area down by 8.1 per cent.

In the year to March 2018, Robbery offences are down by 22.6 per cent.

In fact, crime has dropped across Victoria, with 68 of Victoria’s 79 local government areas experiencing decreases in recorded offence rates from the previous 12 months – with a 9.5 per cent decrease in the crime rate.

Despite these community safety gains family violence remains one of the most significant issues facing the Victorian community with demand for services and support continuing to increase.

That’s why the Labor Government is deploying family violence police specialists to communities across Victoria to help tackle family violence.

Following the unprecedented $2 billion in Victoria Police to deliver the biggest recruitment drive in its history – Fawkner Division will receive 53 new police as part of the 825 scheduled to graduate from the academy over the next 12 months. With 15 allocated to the Hume area, 8 Family violence Specialists and 19 Divisional CIU officers.

This year’s Community Safety Statement builds on the record police investment with new laws, more specialist police, equipment and technology to crack down on serious and organised crime.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“The independent crime statistics released today highlight the relentless work police are doing – day in, day out – to keep people in Sunbury safe.”

“While these are promising figures there is always more to be done to drive down crime further – that’s why we’re making record investments to give police the resources, powers and equipment they need to keep us safe.”  

Quotes attributable to Member for Sunbury, Josh Bull MP

“Our local police members in Sunbury are working hard to target issues including robbery, which we can see reflected in these latest statistics.”

“More police in our community means more police patrolling the streets and more police employed in specialist roles to prevent crime and prosecute offenders – with more to come
over the coming years.”