Family violence down in Bass Coast

THE latest Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data has revealed family violence incidents in Bass Coast decreased by 4.4% while increasing by 9.3% in South Gippsland. 

The quarterly statistics for the year to March 31, 2022, showed family incidents in Bass Coast had dropped from 936 in 2021, to 895 this year. 

However, the family violence incident rate per 100,000 population was 2234, much higher than the state-wide rate of 1360 per 100,000. 

The most affected family member was females at 636, and 257 affected males.

The highest age group affected by family incidents was between 25 to 54. 

Criminal incidents for Bass Coast saw a slight increase of 2.4%, rising from 2096 to 2147 this year. 

According to the data, of the criminal incidents, 37.8% resulted in charges laid, 25.1% had no charges and 37.1% were unsolved.

The top suburbs for criminal incidents were Wonthaggi, Cowes and Inverloch, while the top offences were breaching a family violence order, criminal damage and residential non-aggravated burglary.

Victim reports had also increased, from 1486 last year to 1599 in 2022. 

The top crimes reported were assault and related offences, theft and property damage.

Of the victim reports made, 630 were from female, 658 males and 287 from organisations. 

The most common age group for victim reports was 55 years and older. 

South Gippsland 
While in South Gippsland, family incidents rose from 494 to 540, a 9.3% increase.

The family incident offence rate per 100,000 population was also higher than the state, with 1762 incidents per 100,000 for South Gippsland. 

Victim reports were slightly down from 870 to 858.

While criminal incidents decreased by 5.5%, from 1264 to 1194. 

Of the criminal incidents, 44.9% resulted in charges laid and 21.4% had no charges. 

The top suburbs for criminal incidents were Leongatha, Korumburra and Mirboo North, with breaching a family violence order, criminal damage and other theft, the top offences. 

State-wide, there were 470,405 criminal offences recorded, representing a decrease of 11.5% from the same 12-month period in 2021. 

According to Victoria Police, this represents the lowest number of criminal offences committed in the year ending March since 2015.

Other key figures include:

• The number of criminal incidents recorded by Victoria Police was 343,194, down 11.2% from 386,485 incidents recorded in the same period last year. 
• Alleged offender incidents decreased 18.3% to 161,270, down from 197,320.
  
• Victim reports decreased down 2.5% (6768) to 258,828 victim reports.
  
• Family incidents decreased, down 2.4% from 92,993 to 90,794.
  
• Alleged offender incidents with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status decreased 8.3% to 13,373.