Campaspe crime down but family violence on rise

In fact, police are responding to two domestic violence call-outs a day across the shire.

But when it comes to non-family violence related assaults, as well as burglaries, thefts and drug crime, arrests are down six per cent.

The latest crime statistics show 3878 offences were recorded in the 12 months to June 2020, compared to 4125 the previous year.

Detective Sergeant Barry Gray from Campaspe criminal investigation unit said the COVID-19 restrictions had impacted on opportunistic crime and limited the movement of offenders across Campaspe and Victoria.

Det. Sgt Gray said the drop in overall crime could also be partly attributed to several targeted operations and investigations focusing on crimes against people, property and drugs.

“These operations and investigations, combined with the valuable information police receive from the community, have combined to lower crime,” he said.

Echuca recorded 2295 offences, which is 172 more than 2019 – largely because of the arrest of an Echuca man who was charged with more than 600 child sex offences earlier this year.

Arrests for assaults dropped 28 per cent to 133 offences, burglaries decreased by more than a quarter to 152, and theft went down by six per cent 548.

Across Campaspe, thefts from cars dropped by almost a quarter to 234 offences.

“Members of the local community play a part in securing their own premises and vehicles and thus making crime harder for those small number of criminals in the area to commit,” Det. Sgt Gray said.

But while there have been many decreases in offending, Det. Sgt Gray said police weren’t being complacent and waiting for the overall crime rate to return to pre-coronavirus levels.

“We are studying intelligence and crime trends on a daily basis to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring we can keep the community safe and stay one step ahead of offenders,” he said.

“Family violence remains an area of focus for police moving forward as a result of the risks the coronavirus restrictions may pose for some victims.”

Family violence incidents jumped by 3.3 per cent to 728 across Campaspe.

Operation Ribbon was established in April in direct response to anticipated increase of family violence incidents.

“Family violence detectives have been actively checking in on those who have been assessed as high risk of being the victim of further family violence offending,” Det. Sgt Gray said.

Central Victoria’s specialist domestic and family violence response service is also seeing more women at high risk who need immediate protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CNV client services general manager Yvette Jaczina said women who were previously living in environments with high levels of coercive control were reporting they were now experiencing physical violence.

“We know the nature of the violence against women is escalating,” she said.

“Women who may have experienced controlling behaviours in the past are now experiencing physical violence for the first time. Jealous behaviours and controlling tactics have escalated to physical violence.”

Det. Sgt Gray said the police response to family violence was important work and would continue over the months ahead.

“Local police will also continue to heavily focus on reducing supply of drugs in the area,” he said.

In Echuca, overall drug arrests were down by 10, but drug dealing (13 arrests) and drug use/possession (73) remained relatively stable.

“Over recent months, a number of search warrants have been executed targeting premises identified as potentially being involved in drug supply,” Det. Sgt Gray said.

“These kinds of operations will continue to reduce the supply of drugs within the community and minimise the harm associated with illicit substances.”

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