28 August 2013 – Annual Crime Statistics – 2012/2013
Published August 30, 2013 | 
Victoria Police has today published its 2012/2013 annual crime statistics.
The statistics compare the 12 months to June 2013 with the 12 months to June 2012.
The overall recorded crime rate across the state has increased by 1.6 per cent, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population which is standard across Australia. The total number of offences recorded is up by 3.4 per cent (up 13,479 offences to a total of 406,497 offences).
Crime against the person has increased by 5.3 per cent per 100,000 population (or up 3903 offences to a total of 58,312 offences). This includes increases in: • abduction/ kidnap (up 12.5 per cent) • assault (up 8 per cent) • homicide (up 4.7 per cent) • sex (non rape) (up 0.6 per cent).
Robberies have however decreased by 15.7 per cent and rape has decreased by 4.8 per cent.
Crime against property has decreased by 3 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population (or down 3294 offences to a total of 263,577 offences). This includes decreases in: • theft from motor vehicle (down 9.6 per cent) • property damage (down 8.5 per cent) • theft of motor vehicle (down 7.9 per cent) • residential burglary (down 2.8 per cent).
Deception has however increased by 10.2 per cent, theft of bicycles is up 9.4 per cent and handling stolen goods is up 8 per cent.
Drug offences have increased by 12 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population (or up 2631 offences to a total of 21,469 offences).
Other crime such as weapons/ explosives, harassment and going equipped to steal, have increased by 17.3 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population (or up 10,239 offences to a total of 63,139 offences).
In releasing the latest statistics today, Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said despite two consecutive years of crime rates increasing, the 2012/13 rate was still significantly lower than in past years.
Over the last 10 years, while Victoria’s population has grown by 15.9 per cent, the crime rate has decreased by a total of 12 per cent (rates per 100,000 population). When looking at the raw numbers, the number of offences recorded has only increased by 1.9 per cent.
But Mr Lay said the latest statistics showed that the increase in crime against the person was still being primarily driven by a rise in family violence-related crime.
“Offences arising from family violence incidents accounted for more than a third of all crime against the person offences over the past year,” he said.
“We know that family violence related crime is significantly impacting on our crime statistics. Over the past 10 years, family violence related crime against the person has increased by nearly 400 per cent. This is mainly due to increase in assaults.
“We don’t think we’ve seen the extent that this horrible crime is having on our community. While we know changes to the way police respond to and record family violence incidents, as well as greater community confidence to report these matters, is pushing up these figures, it’s alarming that such a high volume of crime is being committed in the home and that people are at risk in their own homes.”
Mr Lay said there were encouraging signs in the reduction of robberies and also in the crime against property categories, with police operations targeting recidivism and high volume crimes such as theft of motor vehicles and property damage, particularly in the north west metro region.
He said some key concerns remained for Victoria Police, including: – The increase in the use of amphetamine-type stimulants – The increase in non family violence assaults – however there are less serious injuries being reported and more recorded in the non-injury and threats categories – The continued use of knives during assaults, and while only small numbers, the increase of firearms involved in assaults.
Other key statistics coming out of today’s release include: – There were 60,829 family incident reports submitted by police, 21.6 per cent higher than 2011/12. Offences related to family incidents, such as assaults and abduction/ kidnap, have risen as a result of this increased reporting. – Victoria Police processed 12.2 per cent more offenders.
The annual statistics can be viewed at www.police.vic.gov.au
28 August 2013 – Arrest – Armed Robbery – Business Premises – Moree
Published August 30, 2013 | A 26-year-old man will face court today following his alleged involvement in an armed robbery in the state’s west.
About 10.35am on Friday 23 August 2013, three men allegedly entered a pharmacy on Gosport Street, Moree, and threatened an 84-year-old customer and the store owner with a knife.
The group ran from the store after obtaining an amount of cash as well as property from the customer
Officers from Barwon Local Area Command attended the scene and pursued the alleged offenders, however they were able to evade police.
Police commenced investigations into the incident and following a number of inquiries they arrested a man at a house on Adelaide Street, Moree, about 4.25pm yesterday (Tuesday 27 August 2013).
The man was taken to Moree Police Station and charged with a number of offences including robbery in company and take and drive conveyance.
He was refused bail and will appear in Moree Local Court today (Wednesday 28 August 2013).
Investigations continue.
21 August 2013 – Update – Arrests – Armed Robbery – Postal Business – Mount Gravatt East
Published August 23, 2013 | Two men have been charged after investigations into the robbery of a Mount Gravatt East postal business on August 19.
A 21-year-old Mount Gravatt East man has been charged with two counts of armed robbery in company and in relation to a drug matter. He is expected to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
A 17-year-old Woodridge man has been charged with two counts of armed robbery in company and is also expected to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
19 August 2013 – Armed Robbery – Postal Business – Mount Gravatt East
Published August 23, 2013 | Police are investigating after a postal business was robbed at Mount Gravatt East this morning.
Around 9.10am, two men entered the Carrara Street business with one approaching the counter, jumping over it and confronting the female attendant. After producing a knife, the man demanded money and struck the attendant to the shoulder with his hand.
After obtaining cash, the two men then left the store and were last seen heading towards Camlet Street.
The first man is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, 180cm tall with black hair. He was wearing a blue hooded jumper.
The second man is also described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, 165cm tall with black hair. He was wearing a black hooded jumper.
The attendant, a 54-year-old woman, received a minor injury to her arm.
19 August 2013 – Armed Robbery – Gift Store – Davoren Park
Published August 23, 2013 | Police are currently at the scene of an aggravated robbery at Davoren Park. At about 11am, a man entered a craft and gift shop at the Davoren Park Shopping Centre on Peachey Road and demanded money. The man intimated that he had a weapon, but none were used to threaten staff. He escaped with an amount of cash, and was last seen running towards Peachey Road. The suspect is described as being about 180cm tall, aged in mid to late 20’s, slim build, and was wearing a grey tracksuit top and pants. – See more at: http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/more-news/16437-aggravated-robbery-at-davoren-park.html#sthash.n4skQzSj.dpuf
22 August 2013 – Armed Robbery – Newsagent – Lenah Valley
Published August 23, 2013 | At 4:30pm Wednesday 21 August 2013, a man wearing a balaclava and brandishing a knife demanded money from a staff member at the Lenah Valley Newsagency & Post Office on Augusta Road, Lenah Valley, near Hobart. The man stole cash from cash register and ran off.
“The staff member acted with courage and stood between the offender and a female staff member. A struggle occurred but the staff member was not injured,” said Acting Inspector Craig Joel.
Drug Squad detectives and Traffic Police were patrolling in the area and located a vehicle of interest near Video City in New Town. Subsequently a co-ordinated search was conducted in the area and four people were arrested by police. A sum of cash was also seized.
A 28 year old man has been charged with armed robbery of the Newsagency and will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court later today. Another man and two women are assisting police with their inquiries.
Police would like to speak to anyone who saw a maroon coloured Holden Commodore sedan parked near the newsagency in Greenway Avenue at the time of the robbery.
“Anyone with any information in relation to this matter should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” said Acting Inspector Joel.
22 August 2013 – Update – Arrest – Armed Robbery – Pizza Delivery Driver – Woonona
Published August 23, 2013 | Detectives investigating the robberies of a pizza delivery driver and a fast food restaurant in Wollongong in recent months have arrested and charged a man.
About 9.40pm on Sunday 26 May 2013, a 19-year-old man delivered a pizza to a home on Hopetoun Street at Woonona.
When he arrived at the home, three men confronted and assaulted him before fleeing with his money and pizza.
In the second incident, about 1.30am on Monday 22 July, a man entered a fast food restaurant on Princes Highway, Woonona, with his face concealed.
The man confronted a 23-year-old female employee and threatened her, telling her he was armed with a weapon.
A number of employees were then ordered to go into the back office before the man stole cash from the safe.
Detectives from Wollongong Local Area Command commenced inquiries into both incidents, which they will allege are linked.
Following these inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested about 10.45am today (Thursday 22 August 2013) at Wollongong.
The local man was taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was later charged with aggravated robbery and robbery.
He’s been bail refused and will appear at Wollongong Local Court tomorrow (Friday 23 August 2013).
22 August 2013 – Armed Robbery – Business Premises – Bomaderry
Published August 23, 2013 | Police are appealing for public assistance following the armed robbery of a store in Bomaderry overnight.
About 7.15pm (Wednesday 21 August 2013), a man entered a store on Meroo Road, armed with a hammer.
The man threatened a female shop attendant and demanded cash. A second staff member approached the counter a short time later and the man fled the location with an amount of cash.
No one was injured during the incident.
Police attended the location and launched an investigation into the incident.
Officers conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area, but the man was not located.
The man has been described as having a tanned complexion, about 175-180cm tall and was of a skinny build. He was last seen wearing a black-coloured balaclava, dark-coloured hooded jumper, long dark pants, white joggers and gloves.
21 August 2013 – Armed Robbery – Sports Clothing Store – Auburn
Published August 23, 2013 | Police are investigating the armed robbery of a sports clothing store at Auburn yesterday.
About 5pm, (20 August 2013), a man, who was armed with a handgun, entered the store on Parramatta Road and robbed the premises.
Police have been told he walked up to the counter and threatened two employees while demanding cash from the registers.
Both employees complied with his demands and he fled the store with an amount of cash.
No shots were fired and no one was injured during the robbery.
Police from Flemington Local Area Command were called to the store where they established a crime scene which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Detectives are continuing their investigations into the robbery and are looking for a man who has been described as having a tanned/olive complexion with a medium build.
He was wearing black sunglasses, a dark grey hooded jumper, grey track pants and had a white scarf across his face.
13 August 2013 – Armed Robbery – Clothing Store – Townsville
Published August 16, 2013 | Police have charged a 25-year-old man with armed robbery following an incident in a clothing store in the Flinders Street Mall.
About 10am this morning the man attempted to leave the store and was asked to open his backpack by a female employee.
The man complied and the employee allegedly removed several items of clothing from the backpack before the man left the store, carrying his backpack.
After being confronted by a male employee outside the store, the man allegedly threatened to stab the employee with a pair of scissors.
Police arrested a man in a nearby car park.
He is scheduled to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on August 14.
