Vicious assault

A MAN found his colleague unconscious and bleeding from his head and mouth outside a Dandenong motorcycle mechanic about 8.10am on Monday 4 March.
The shocking incident followed Victoria Police crime statistics revealing a 4.6 per cent increase in the rate of assaults in the Greater Dandenong Police Service Area (PSA) last year, compared to the previous 12 months.
Paramedics rushed the injured 57-year-old Doncaster East man to The Alfred with a deep laceration to the back of his head, knocked-out teeth and facial injuries.
Police said he was confronted by someone inside the Plunkett Road workshop — located between Box and Windale streets, when he arrived to open the business for the day — who struck him with a blunt weapon.
They said the circumstances surrounding the assault remained unclear because they had not yet been able to interview the victim and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Greater Dandenong Local Area Commander Inspector Bruce Kitchen said the increase in assaults was “slight”.
“What is pleasing is an increase in the numbers of offenders processed for committing assault-related offences,” he said.
He said Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at Dandenong railway station had greatly improved the feeling of safety within the community and reduced crime in the area, and he expected them to do the same at Noble Park railway station.
Insp Kitchen said family-violence assaults continued to increase and remained a priority for police, and the Family Violence Unit would continue to target repeat offenders.
“It is encouraging to see more family members have the confidence to speak out and report domestic violence,” he said.
Overall, crime in Greater Dandenong increased by 6.9 per cent last year – well below the 9.5 per cent jump seen for the state.
Drug offences were down 8.3 per cent, from 999 to 916, but there was a 25.2 per cent increase in crimes involving weapons, explosives, harassment, and public order.
Insp Kitchen said excessive consumption of alcohol at unsupervised youth parties at private residences and large gatherings of youth in parkland was on the rise.
He said the Safe Suburbs Task Force and uniform members from Dandenong and Springvale continually targeted public order offences, but urged the public to call Triple-zero to report large gatherings of youths.
Insp Kitchen said burglary, property damage and theft from motor cars remained a challenge because the offences were generally opportunistic and scattered.
He urged car and home owners to take simple security measures to reduce the opportunity for thieves and to visit dandenongpolice.blogspot.com.au for ideas.
“On a positive note, the area has enjoyed a 5.4 per cent decrease in the number of cars that have been stolen over the past 12 months,” he said.
The statistics included road fatality and injury figures for October 2011 to September last year, compared with the previous 12 months.
There were three more fatalities in the Greater Dandenong PSA – up from two to five – and total injuries were up 17 per cent from 543 to 636.
“A great deal of trauma is the result of motorists speeding, mobile phone use while driving and running red lights,” Insp Kitchen said.
“If all motorists were more considerate of other road users, this would go a long way to assist us reduce road trauma.”
Anyone who witnessed the Plunkett Road assault or any suspicious activity nearby should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.