By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
WHEN it comes to reported assaults, robbery, stalking, harassment and break and enters the Cardinia Shire is much safer than the City of Casey.
From July 2014 to June this year, Casey has recorded an increase of 39 per cent in robbery – a major increase when compared to neighbouring Cardinia, which experienced a drop in robberies.
Figures released on Thursday 1 October by the Crime Statistics Agency revealed 121 reported cases of robbery in Casey this financial year compared to 16 in Cardinia.
Over the past two financial years, Cardinia has experienced an increase of three per cent in theft whereas Casey is up 25 per cent on last year’s reports.
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour in Casey is up more than double that of the shire, with a reported 256 offences compared to Casey’s 600.
The numbers showed startling figures for assaults and related offences with Casey’s reports almost four times those of Cardinia.
The City of Casey reported 1827 assaults and related offences this financial year compared with the shire’s 485.
However Casey’s grim stats across the board were lower when compared to Cardinia’s for reported sexual offences, with Casey increasing 33 per cent in the two years compared to Cardinia which grew 61 per cent.
Drug use and possession in Cardinia was also up on Casey.
In the two years to June this year, the Cardinia Shire grew 48 per cent compared to Casey’s 28 per cent.
