By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE total number of recorded offences in Casey has risen 19.3 per cent, according to the latest crime statistics.
The data, released by the Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday 17 March, indicates that the number of total offences in the City of Casey rose from 17,512 from January to December in 2014 to 20,884 in the same period for 2015.
Meanwhile the number of family incidents in Casey has risen 3.1 per cent, from 3840 in January to December 2014, to 3959 a year later.
In Casey the number of reported sexual offence incidents rose from 470 in 2014 to 549 in 2015, while drug dealing and trafficking offences increased from 168 to 202, and assault and related offences rose from 1825 to 1877.
However abduction and related offences in Casey dropped from 38 in 2014 to 32 in 2015, while the number of arson incidents dropped from 169 to 140.
Crime Statistics Agency Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said weapons and explosives offences had again seen significant increases across the state this quarter.
“Theft offences and burglary/break and enter offences have also increased in 2015, up 11 per cent and 9.1 per cent respectively,” she said.
“There has been a significant trend in the number of theft from a motor vehicle offences, with this category accounting for one in every 10 offences recorded by Victoria Police in 2015.’
“This quarter’s spotlight on theft from motor vehicle offences highlights the upwards trend in this category.”