Tasked to curb crime

By Nicole Williams
A NEW taskforce and violence unit has seen crime drop in Greater Dandenong during 2011-12.
New crime figures released by Victoria Police show a 28 per cent drop in robberies and a 15 per cent drop in assaults in public places between July 2011 and June 2012.
Inspector Bruce Kitchen said the fall was due to the introduction of a dedicated unit focusing on assaults and robberies in public places.
“The Greater Dandenong Police Service Area continues to make a significant impact on the reduction of public order issues, assaults in public places and the reduction of robberies in public places through a dedicated unit named ‘Operation Safe Suburbs’,” he said.
“Its impact has been evident with its resources doubling since its commencement, and with the plan of increasing its capacity further in late October.”
Insp Kitchen said Protective Services Officers had also been stationed at Dandenong railway station which had resulted in a drop in crime in that area; PSOs have also since been stationed at Noble Park.
Assault (including family violence) has also dropped 2.5 per cent.
“Since the introduction of the Greater Dandenong family violence unit, we have seen a significant impact on recidivist offenders and a vast improvement on our referrals and reporting,” Insp Kitchen said.
“It is our view that this will break the cycle of violence and make the family home safer.”
With total road injuries also up 14.8 per cent between April 2011 and March 2012, Insp Kitchen said road safety continued to be a major concern for police.
“As a result we will continue to conduct booze/drug buses and automatic number plate recognition operations around Greater Dandenong,” he said.
“This strategy is to keep drug and alcohol-affected or unlicensed drivers off our roads to help ensure that everyone gets home safely.”
Insp Kitchen also appealed to the public to help police in their efforts to improve safety.
“I encourage all members of the Greater Dandenong Community whether you live or work here, please be vigilant if you see a suspicious person, suspicious vehicle or groups of youths causing trouble contact the local police,” he said.
“You are our eyes and ears and we need your help to make the City of Greater Dandenong a safer place.”