DESPITE an increase in crime in both Ararat and Northern Grampians municipalities, Wimmera’s top cop said he was happy with police performance, adding the increase was down to public confidence and reporting.
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In 2015-16, the crime rate in Ararat Rural City increased 7.7 per cent, and Northern Grampians shire experienced a 5.3 per cent increase.
Hindmarsh Shire recorded a 50.4 per cent increase in the crime rate and Yarriambiack a 38.9 per cent increase.
West Wimmera Shire had a five per cent increase and Horsham Rural City 0.69 per cent.
Wimmera Superintendent Paul Margetts said the increase did not reflect an increase in crime itself.
“It’s more so about reporting,” he said.
“We know there will always be a level of crime, there will always be some crime in the community.”
Mr Margetts said public engagement campaigns had succeed in getting communities to report unlawful behaviour to police.
He said because of the general low level of crime in the areas, the additional reports show up in statistics as a significantly increased percentage crime rate.
“Overall I think we’ve done quite well,” he said.
“We expected some increase because public information forums have encouraged people to report crime.
“We are also advising the community about the processes behind reporting crime and have a victim-centric approach to reporting crime.”
Mr Margetts said public tip-offs and the dob in the dealer program had meant Northern Grampians police were able identify and deal with a number of drug offences in the region.
He said this was reflected in the 31 per cent increase in drug dealing and trafficking offences reported in the service area, along with the 40 per cent increase shown for cultivating drugs offences.
Northern Grampians police service area reported a 48 per cent increase in public nuisance offending, and Horsham area a 20 per cent increase.
“It’s more about us targeting our patrols and being prepared for public events when they’re on,” Mr Margetts said. Northern Grampians also saw a 32 per cent increase in break and enter offences.
Mr Margetts said the increase related to a string of home and sporting club burglaries conducted around Stawell and Ararat by offenders who have been arrested.
“It’s good police work, the community identified criminal offending and we took action,” he said.
Ripon MP Louise Stanley described the increase as a “crime spree” and called on the premier to increase police resources.
“Our police are dedicated and highly experienced but there are too few of them,” she said.