By Parker McKenzie
Criminal incidents have decreased in the Yarra Ranges in the year up to March 2023 when compared to the year prior, according to new statistics released on Thursday 15 July.
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said overall crime in Victoria has gradually increased from the low levels of 2020/21, however, it remains more than 9 per cent below pre-Covid pandemic levels.
“Serious offences including family violence serious assaults, rape, sex offences against children, and stalking and harassment all recorded reductions,” he said.
“While this is positive, there are clearly a number of areas of concern that police are investing significant energy and resources towards.”
In the Yarra Ranges Local Government Area, total criminal incidents dropped by 3.4 per cent compared to the previous year.
The top five hot spots in the LGA saw 905 incidents in Lilydale (down from 933), 671 in Mooroolbark (down from 698), 403 in Chirnside Park (up from 387), 370 in Kilsyth (up from 319) and 313 in Healesville (down from 316).
The most common criminal incident in the Yarra Ranges was breaching family violence orders, which rose to 501 incidents compared to 479 the previous year.
Family violence rose 3.7 per cent compared to the previous year, with 1993 total family incidents. The average of 1,259.2 family incidents per 100,000 people in the LGA was below the Victorian average of 1,377.7.
Women were almost three times more likely to experience family violence, with 1,450 being the affected family member compared to 540 men.
Deputy Commissioner Nugent said a horror in 2023 has been the road toll, with 145 lives lost, up 39 compared to the same time last year.
“Reckless drivers are firmly in the sights of local and state Highway Patrol units who continue to run targeted and intelligence-led operations to reduce the likelihood of further trauma on our roads,” he said.
