General News
29 December, 2022
Crime at five-year low
LODDON communities have seen a 16 per cent drop in in crime, according to Crime Statistics Agency data released last week. The 363 incidents in the 12 months to September were down from 433 last year and the shire’s lowest since 2017. The decline...
LODDON communities have seen a 16 per cent drop in in crime, according to Crime Statistics Agency data released last week.
The 363 incidents in the 12 months to September were down from 433 last year and the shire’s lowest since 2017. The decline also sees Loddon drop below the state average.
Data also shows a 15 per cent decrease in family violence incidents with 119 reported in to September compared with 2021’s 140 but still above the state average.
Release of statistics comes as Goldfields area commander Inspector Donna Mitchell said “theft of and from cars is still the biggest problem in the region”.
“So much of these crime types is preventable. Lock your car. Don’t leave anything tempting in view. Park under a streetlight or in a locked garage. Have sensor lights. Install CCTV. Don’t leave your house keys in your car. Insure your car,” she said.
She also praised the work of local police with Loddon Shire and other emergency partners to plan and prepare for the response and recovery phases of emergency events.
“This work was certainly put to the test recently with the floods, Inspector Mitchell said.
“Our police members worked tirelessly to assist people. I would like to thank all the services that contributed to moving people around, providing relief and returning people back to their homes safely.” Inspector Mitchell also highlighed community initiatives that included working with Bridgewater on Loddon Development committee and Neighbourhood Watch in Tarnagulla.
“In Loddon Shire, community safety will be a major focus for our members working in the non-24 hour station environments. They will work with local planning groups and establish a fit-for-purpose local safety committee,” Inspector Mitchell said.