By BRIDGET COOK
A HUGE spike in drug-related offences and theft from cars have contributed to a 7.7 per cent increase in crime in Casey.
Victoria Police last week released the latest round of crime statistics, which showed the amount of crime in Casey for the past year, ending in March.
Drug offences were up by 16.4 per cent from the previous year, theft from cars were up 19 per cent and burglaries, excluding houses, were up 15.1 per cent.
Robbery had a big decrease, being down by 22.7 per cent, as did assaults excluding family violence.
Family violence offences rose by 3.7 per cent.
“Domestic violence is unacceptable and the police of Casey are committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse and, encouraging the reporting of domestic abuse,” Casey police Inspector Paul Breen said.
Insp Breen said of concern was the sharp increase in theft of motor vehicles and theft from motor vehicles.
“It would appear that many of these thefts result from people leaving their motor vehicles unlocked,” he said.
“This practice of leaving vehicles unlocked is just inviting the opportunistic thief to ply their trade with ease.”
Insp Breen said it was pleasing to note that minor and serious injuries related to traffic accidents were down by 14 per cent.
“I commend all motorists on their diligent and responsible driving within Casey,” he said.
“In all, especially in the coming colder and rainy months to August, we need to be diligent and responsible drivers as roads become wet and greasy.”
