By Bonny Burrows
Crime in Cardinia Shire is down 13.9 per cent with the region experiencing drops in offences across the board.
Cardinia’s crime rate has been rising steadily every year since 2013 however, new data from the Crime Statistics agency revealed local crime has dropped.
The data, released this morning, shows across the region, crimes against the person were down 7.4 per cent, property and deception offences dropped 7 per cent and other crimes which include transport and driving offences declined by 21.7 per cent during the last financial year.
Drug offence rates remained steady, with a 3 per cent increase in the 12-month period ending June.
The data reveals there has been little change in drug offences locally since 2015 despite population growth.
In good news, the region experienced drastic drops in homicide – down 66.7 per cent; abductions were down 62.5 per cent and blackmail and extortion rates were also reduced by 62.5 per cent.
Arson rates were slashed by 29.9 per cent, crimes involving weapons and explosives by 28.9 per cent and public nuisance offences were down 26.4 per cent.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said it was the first time in six years the state had seen crime decrease thanks to the “relentless” efforts of police armed with new resources and capabilities.
“There are still challenges and we do not want to see this as a one off decline, but police are starting to make inroads,” Ms Neville said.
“Victorian’s deserve to be safe and they deserve to feel safe.”
A breakdown of the local data can be found at: https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/explore-crime-by-location.
