By Helena Adeloju
Crime in Pakenham is down by 21.8 per cent with more than 1000 fewer offences in the 12 month period from April 2016 to March 2017.
Crimes against another person were down by 10.6 per cent over all, with 77 fewer offences. However, reported robberies increased by 38.5 per cent with five more offences than last year.
Incidents of stalking and harassment fell significantly, down by 38.4 per cent, with 61 fewer offences.
Property and deception offences fell by 16.5 per cent.
However burglary and break and entries saw a 17.7 per cent increase, with 59 more offences committed.
Arson, property damage, theft and deception all saw significant falls.
Drug offences were down by 16.3 per cent, with drug dealing and trafficking down by 40 per cent, from 40 incidents in 2016 to 24 incidents at the same time this year.
Public order and security offences were down by almost 40 per cent. Weapons and explosives violations more than halved falling from 208 incidents in 2016 to 103 this year.
It was the same story for public nuisance offences which were down just shy of 50 per cent, with 49 incidents reported last year down to 25.
Justice procedures offences fell by 35.9 per cent with 422 fewer breaches of orders and other justice procedures.
Transport regulation offences fell by 57.1 per cent, while other government regulatory offences and miscellaneous offences fell to zero.
Across Cardinia shire crime is also down over all, by 11.8 per cent. In total 915 fewer offences occurred in the 12 month period.
Cardinia Local Area Commander Inspector Shane Smith thanked local police and residents for their contributions to the results.
“These significant improvements in community safety have been achieved through the commitment and hard work of police members in Cardinia, along with significant support from the community,” he said.
“Although this is a very positive outcome for the Cardinia community, we cannot become complacent. It is as important as ever that we all remain focused on personal safety and property security.”
Notable increases in crime were seen for aggravated robbery, which increased 31.6 per cent, from 19 offences last year to 25.
Non-aggravated robbery increased by 100 per cent, with the incident count increasing from just two to four.
Assaults on police, emergency services or other authorised officers increased significantly from 14 reported offences to more than doubling to 31 offences.
Dangerous driving incidents more than tripled across the shire, up from five to 16 reported offences.
Aggravated burglary also saw an increase from 71 offences to 93, up 31 per cent.
The non- aggravated burglary figure also increased with 87 more incidents than at the same time last year.
Commander Inspector Smith advised Cardinia residents to remain vigilant especially with their vehicles.
“When your vehicle is unattended, don’t leave valuable items on display and ensure it is locked,” he said.
“If possible, garage your car or park it in your driveway rather than leaving it out on the street and, if you can, fit one-way screws to your number plates.”
He said simple measures help keep crime down by removing opportunities for would-be criminals.
“The challenge for all of us is to continue to make Cardinia a safe place to live and work,” he said.
Bass MP Brian Paynter said he was worried by the fact that Pakenham had seen an increase in robberies.
“I have lived in the Pakenham area for most of my life and can honestly say that now more than ever residents are genuinely scared for their safety – especially given the prevalence of home invasions,” Mr Paynter said.
