Violent crime up

VIOLENT crime in Casey is at all-time high, a police report has revealed.
Sexual assault, robbery and drug related crimes all increased significantly in the last 12 months throughout the region.
The alarming rise was revealed as part of Victoria Police’s annual crime statistics report released by Opposition MPs this week.
Liberal Leader Ted Baillieu said the region five area – which takes in south east Melbourne and Gippsland – needed more police.
“Victorians deserve a strong police presence to protect them from aggravated burglary and robbery. These are violent crimes against Victorians which have not previously shown significant increases,” Mr Baillieu said.
Total violent crimes have increased 59.9 per cent and assault is up more than 78 per cent since 1999, the biggest increase of any region in Victoria.
Other increases in region five include: Abductions up 50 per cent, sexual assault up 19.6 per cent, drug offences up 6.5 per cent and motor vehicle theft up 8.4 per cent.
The figures – taken from Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) data – were produced by the Victoria Police Corporate Strategy and Performance Department.