Crime up in Victoria as Daniel Andrews cuts police and closes stations

Shadow Police Minister, Edward O’Donohue

Background – key figures from the Crime Statistics Agency

Crime is up 6.0% in the 12 months to 30 September 2015

The total number of recorded offences for the year has risen from 455,728 to 482,959

Drug use and possession up 16.9% from 19,282 to 22,542

Weapons and explosives offences up 16.1% from 13,175 to 15,290

Family incidents up 9.6% from 66,011 to 72,376

Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour up 9.4% from 11,066 to 12,104

Offender incidents up 6.8% from 154,445 to 164,941

Source:  Crime Statistics Agency – link here

Comments from Shadow Police Minister Edward O’Donohue

Under Daniel Andrews crime rates are up but police numbers are down and our streets are less safe than they were a year ago.

Police stations are being closed to the public in the face of rising crime.

Stations including Pakenham, Mooroolbark, Reservoir, Ashburton, Somerville, Greensborough, Epping and Craigieburn have had to reduce their opening hours because of a lack of resources from Daniel Andrews.

If Daniel Andrews hadn’t wasted over $1.1 billion on tearing up the East West Link contract he could have built 80 brand new police stations or employed hundreds of new police for years to come.

Media contact: John Deller     0400 496 596     john.deller@opposition.vic.gov.au