By Jodie Symonds and Peter Douglas
SEVERAL alarming incidents over the past week have occurred as crime statistics in the Yarra Ranges showed an overall increase of 24 per cent over the 2016 financial year.
Over this period, Crime Statistics Victoria revealed there had been 8803 offences in the Yarra Ranges local government area, up from 7089 in the 2015 financial year, with increases in all major offence divisions.
This included drug offences (up 28.7 per cent), property and deception offences (+ 15.4 per cent), and public order and security offences (plus 33.3 per cent).
One of the more alarming individual trends was an increase in offences of arson, with 135 cases, an increase of 77.6 per cent.
The statistics were released after a spate of disturbing cases in the Yarra Ranges.
These included a Lilydale man, 23, and a woman, 22, who were charged at midnight on Wednesday, 5 October, over the possession of drugs and knives.
Also, a Lilydale man, 42, was arrested shortly after 12am on Tuesday, 4 October, for causing damage to students’ cars parked outside of Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
Meanwhile, Mooroolbark police located a disorientated man, 23, running naked through the main street of Lilydale, about 5.30pm, on Wednesday 5 October.
State Member for Eastern Victoria Region, and Shadow Victoria Police Minister, Ed O’Donohue, said there were not enough first-response police officers available.
“The Yarra Ranges has seen a 24 per cent jump in crime, while police numbers have been slashed by almost five per cent,” Mr O’Donohue said.
“(Victorian Premier) Daniel Andrews needs to give police the resources needed to re-open all the police stations that have been forced to cut their hours and put more police on the streets.
“That means fewer police to attend urgent call-outs for home invasions, carjackings and family violence.”
Meanwhile, State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish, said Victorians were getting sick and tired of waking to yet another story about criminals running rampant in their towns, due to police cuts.
“Make no mistake, these crime statistics are the result of Daniel Andrews’ cuts to police, closing of police stations, and weakening of bail laws,” she said.
Offences across the Yarra Ranges LGA:
* Belgrave: 241 to 327 (up 35.6 per cent);
* Mount Evelyn: 288 to 446 (up 54.8 per cent);
* Emerald: 263 to 188 (down 28 per cent);
* Ferntree Gully: 1519 to 1582 (up 4.1 per cent);
* Warburton: 113 to 145 (up 28.3 per cent);
* Healesville: 388 to 409 (up 5.4 per cent);
* Yarra Junction: 136 to 137 (up 0.7 per cent);
* Seville: 83 to 148 (up 78 per cent);
* Wandin: 18 to 55 (up 205 per cent);
* Coldstream: 115 to 87 (down 24.3 per cent);
* Marysville: 8 to 28 (up 250 per cent);
* Yarra Glen: 75 to 105 (up 40 per cent);
* Lilydale: 1320 to 1861 (up 40.9 per cent);
* Cockatoo: 216 to 233 (up 5.4 per cent).
