Fall in Greater Dandenong robberies linked to blitz

A POLICE public-order blitz is credited for a reduction in robberies and assaults in Greater Dandenong.

Crime statistics released last week showed robberies were down 29 per cent and assaults — excluding family violence — down 16.9 per cent in July 2011-June 2012, compared to the previous 12 months.

But total crime was up by 4.8 per cent in the same period. Among the crimes on the rise were rapes (31.5 per cent) and other sexual offences (35.5 per cent).

Also up were family violence assaults (22.1 per cent), drug offences (11.7 per cent), burglaries (2.7 per cent), theft of motor vehicles (10.6 per cent) and theft from motor vehicles (8.1 per cent).

Greater Dandenong police service area’s Inspector Bruce Kitchen said Operation Safe Suburbs had made a “significant impact” on public order. He said there were plans to increase police patrols at licensed premises, shopping centres, parks and railway stations from next month.

Inspector Kitchen said the rise in reported sex offences and domestic violence was partly due to more public confidence “in coming in and reporting to police”.

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