WORRYING trends in Kingston crime statistics released last week show spikes in cyber crime, telephone scams, and thefts of, and from, motor cars.
The statistics show thefts are up 17.5 per cent (from 3524 to 4141) in the 12 months to March this year, and deceptions are up 104 per cent (from 545 to 1114) in the same period.
Property and Deception offences as a category, taking in arson, property damage, burglaries/break-ins, thefts and deception, rose from 5789 to 7192 – 24 per cent – in the 12 months to March this year, giving police cause for concern.
Inspector Bruce Kitchen, the new head of Kingston police, said there had been a “slight increase” in crime overall – with other categories, such as Crimes against the person up 10.5 per cent; Drug offences up 12 per cent, and Public order and security offences up 3 per cent. Assaults are slightly down (1.1 per cent).
“We are seeing a slight rise in crime overall, but particularly in crime scams, such as telephone callers saying they are from the tax office and demanding that older people, in particular, deposit money into bogus accounts or send money by wire transfer,” he said.
“And, as usual, there is ongoing theft of valuables from cars, especially overnight, when they are parked in driveways and out on the street, with stolen credit cards used to buy things via PayWave.
“Also, we are finding lots of number plates being stolen and the cars used for drive-by thefts, such as from service stations, and other robberies.”
Inspector Kitchen said there were “no real trends” in figures for shop and factory break-ins in areas of Kingston, including Braeside, Mordialloc, Mentone and Southland.
But he said 40 per cent of commercial burglaries related to shopkeepers leaving money in their tills overnight. “Our message is all about enhancing security, such as emptying the till and placing it on top of the cash register in full view of the window to show that it is empty,” he said.
Inspector Kitchen said police would be rostered to patrol crime areas when statistics show they are busiest. “Commercial burglaries and car thefts are usually in the dark hours around 3am so we will be especially vigilant then and, hopefully, deter the beggars,” he said.
Inspector Kitchen began his career in 1978 and was transferred to Moorabbin in 1983. “We used to work the footy crowds at Linton St,” he said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 June 2016
