KINGSTON’S crime rate dropped significantly during 2013 and remains well below the state average, latest Victoria Police statistics for the 12 months to December 31 released last week reveal.
But while the total number offences and crime rates per 100,000 people were well down in almost all categories of crime for Kingston, the number of drug offences detected shot up more than 18 per cent, sparking alarm among senior police.
The most significant improvement in the fight against crime was recorded in the ‘crime against property category’, which fell 10.3 per cent, led by a 11.5 per cent decline in motor vehicle theft and 7.5 per cent fall in residential burglary. However, property damage – mostly involving graffiti offences – rose 6.8 per cent.
‘Crime against the person’ – a category that includes assault, domestic violence, rape and murder – was down a more moderate 2.6 per cent, led by an impressive 28 per cent drop in the number of robberies recorded. The assault rate fell 1.7 per cent, but assault not involving family violence rose 0.8 per cent.
The most common crime committed in Kingston during 2013 was theft from motor vehicle with 1111 offences recorded compared to 1159 the year before (down 11.5 per cent), while there were 1050 instances of property damage, 910 assaults, 522 residential burglaries and 247 vehicles stolen.
Bucking the downward trend was a dramatic rise in drug crime, with 534 offences recorded last year compared to 450 in 2012.
Across Victoria, drug offences – including possession, traffic and manufacture – jumped 12.3 per cent, with evidence suggesting the figures reflected not only a higher rate of detection, but also growing use, particularly in the case of methamphetamines, or ice as it is better known.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said rises in the number of drug offences in recent years had been mostly due to increased police numbers and better rates of detecting.
“But the trending and analysis we’ve conducted shows there is actually an increase in the number of users,” she said.“It’s now not just about detection, it’s also about an increasing problem with drug use within the community.”
Ms Nolan said the use of methamphetamines had risen by such an extent that it was now challenging cannabis as the drug behind most offences.
“You see the impact it has, particularly on the regional centres and rural communities, it is absolutely huge.”
Kingston police commander Inspector Bruce Wemyss said police would continue to target anti-social behaviour in the area in a bid to further drive down crime rates, and praised the success of a number of high-profile operations.
“Operation Summertime has been an outstanding success targeting anti-social behaviour and volume crime along our foreshore,” Inspector Wemyss said.
“Police have provided support through regular sand patrols, covert operations and specific tasking towards thefts. We have also been directing efforts towards the drivers of anti-social behaviour such as alcohol.
“A recent operation identified the selling of liquor to underage youth. Fines have been issued and the activities of the business continue to be monitored.”
He said the rise in the number of non-family violence related assaults in the Kingston Police Service Area were mostly due to incidents around licensed premises and transport hubs.
“In response, we have been running licensing operations around local clubs and pubs,” he said. “Protective Services Officers continue to maintain a visible presence at many of our railway stations until the last train and this will be enhanced as the rollout extends to Moorabbin railway station shortly.
“Property damage, specifically graffiti, has increased by 8 per cent. If you witness this, please do not hesitate to call. Quite often an offender found to be responsible for an individual piece can be matched against several incidents.”
He said the key to further reducing the number of instances of thefts from motor vehicles with public vigilance.
“The key to reducing these is ensuring that valuables are not displayed. There have been examples of offenders walking past cars before entering the one that has property clearly visible.”
