General News
28 August, 2023
Police forum reveals local trends, hears community’s concerns
Family violence, crime, drugs and emergency management were among the topics discussed at last week’s Goldfields Police Service Area CommSafe forum — giving police and residents a unique opportunity to talk about local issues. A panel consisting...
Family violence, crime, drugs and emergency management were among the topics discussed at last week’s Goldfields Police Service Area CommSafe forum — giving police and residents a unique opportunity to talk about local issues.
A panel consisting of representatives from local stations and specialist units spoke about local and state-wide issues to a packed Maryborough Community Hub on Wednesday.
Topics ranging from crime, drugs, youth offending, family violence, road policing and emergency management were touched on, with some of the highest-ranking police officers from the region attending the forum including Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent, Assistant Commissioner Western Region Michael Grainger and Superintendent Brad Dixon.
Discussion centred around the Goldfields Police Service Area (PSA) which incorporates the Central Goldfields, Mount Alexander and Loddon shires.
Data from the Crime Statistics Agency, which police used at the forum, showed breaches of family violence orders, criminal damage and theft were the most common types of offending in the PSA, with the Central Goldfields the only shire above the state average for overall offending.
Inspector Dan Davison from the Bendigo Investigation and Response unit said while it was concerning, it was also promising to see more incidents of family violence were being reported to police.
“That means that members of the community believe in us, Victoria Police, to support and assist them which can only be a good thing,” he said.
Crime data also showed there has been a state-wide increase in deception offences like theft and cyber crime.
Insp Davison said theft from motor vehicles, number plate thefts and petrol drive offs are also all increasing in the region.
Of particular concern to police, the Inspector said, was livestock theft, with stolen stock numbering around 300-400 last year but increasing to in excess of 1800 this year.
Local residents, councillors, representatives from local schools, service groups, licensed businesses, emergency services and community organisations, among others, were able to have their say on issues impacting the region at the forum.
One resident questioned whether the increase in theft related offending could be linked with rising cost of living pressures, which police said is likely a contributing factor with thefts of items like food, clothes and petrol reported locally.
The topics of drugs and drug use was also raised during the forum and Insp Davison said drug possession was similar to family violence in that it was positive police were able to apprehend more offenders, but negative drugs were in the community.
It was also said that the Goldfields PSA ranks as the lowest in the state on the drug harm index which was overwhelmingly positive.
The forum helps police get a better understanding of local concerns and where residents would like to see police focus their attention and Maryborough Police Acting Sergeant Matt Ormston said partnerships were an important element of policing.
“Some of the feedback we received from the forum can be used to target different issues that have been raised, whether it be something to do with family violence, crime or traffic,” he said.
“Conversations going back and forward between us and the community is important, it gives us a better understanding of community views and also the community’s expectations of us at Victoria Police.
“We’re also getting ideas about how we can best help and support the community through these forums, it’s all about partnerships.
Act Sgt Ormston said the forum was successful and encouraged residents to reach out to police if they have any issues or concerns.
“It’s fantastic to see the turnout we had, there was a real variety of people who attended, whether they were members of the community or representing an organisation — their feedback helps to inform the work we do,” he said.
“If anyone has got any issues or wants to discuss something now that the forum is over, give your local station a call and come and chat with us.”
