Swan Hill police say an increase in robbery, burglaries and theft across the region is a “worrying” trend.
According to the latest crime figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency, the Swan Hill local government recorded a decrease in the crime rates (per 100,000 population) of 6.2 per cent for the year ending September 2016.
Across the state, the crime rate skyrocketed by 11.6 per cent, with family violence up 8.9 per cent.
Swan Hill Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Dave Bowler said Swan Hill was one of only 10 areas that recorded a reduction in overall crime — ranked 5th out of the 79 council areas.
There was a decrease in crimes against the person of 0.3 per cent but robbery was of a “worrying” upward trend.
“We have come off a low base from the previous year. We are targeting our recidivist offenders and working closely with our detectives and crime prevention officers to ensure effective target hardening and prevention strategies are in place,” Act Insp Bowler said.
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