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Wednesday 22 June 2016
5973 6424 or email: team@baysidenews.com.au www.baysidenews.com.au
Green is the colour
ASPENDALE’S St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School keeps on scooping up awards for its 5-star sustainability precinct including gardens in the school grounds. The United Nations Association of Australia is the latest organisation to marvel at the school’s precinct, opened in 2013, deciding to give St Louis a top Environmental School gong. Pictured are school captains Ella and Mason with the award. See story Page 4. Picture: Gary Sissons
Scams lead crime spike Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au WORRYING trends in Kingston crime statistics released last week show spikes in cyber crime, telephone scams, and thefts of, and from, motor cars. The statistics show thefts are up 17.5 per cent (from 3524 to 4141) in the 12 months to March this year, and deceptions are up 104 per cent (from 545 to 1114) in the same period. Property and Deception offences as a category, taking in arson, property
damage, burglaries/break-ins, thefts and deception, rose from 5789 to 7192 – 24 per cent – in the 12 months to March this year, giving police cause for concern. Inspector Bruce Kitchen, the new head of Kingston police, said there had been a “slight increase” in crime overall – with other categories, such as Crimes against the person up 10.5 per cent; Drug offences up 12 per cent, and Public order and security offences up 3 per cent. Assaults are slightly down (1.1 per cent).
“We are seeing a slight rise in crime overall, but particularly in crime scams, such as telephone callers saying they are from the tax office and demanding that older people, in particular, deposit money into bogus accounts or send money by wire transfer,” he said. “And, as usual, there is ongoing theft of valuables from cars, especially overnight, when they are parked in driveways and out on the street, with stolen credit cards used to buy things via PayWave. “Also, we are finding lots of number
plates being stolen and the cars used for drive-by thefts, such as from service stations, and other robberies.” Inspector Kitchen said there were “no real trends” in figures for shop and factory break-ins in areas of Kingston, including Braeside, Mordialloc, Mentone and Southland. But he said 40 per cent of commercial burglaries related to shopkeepers leaving money in their tills overnight. “Our message is all about enhancing security, such as emptying the till and placing it on top of the cash register in
full view of the window to show that it is empty,” he said. Inspector Kitchen said police would be rostered to patrol crime areas when statistics show they are busiest. “Commercial burglaries and car thefts are usually in the dark hours around 3am so we will be especially vigilant then and, hopefully, deter the beggars,” he said. Inspector Kitchen began his career in 1978 and was transferred to Moorabbin in 1983. “We used to work the footy crowds at Linton St,” he said.
Cornish College provides education for a sustainable future: • Early Learning Centre with a focus on the Reggio Emilia philosophy • International Baccalaureate Primary program • Middle Years Breadth Studies to prepare for electives • VCE Beyond Boundaries program • Enrichment and Extension program • Comprehensive co-curricular program • Outdoor education program • Inspiring teachers and strong pastoral care • Community spirit and friends for life
Lifelong learners. Unique environment. ELC to Year 12
Cornish College is a co-educational independent Uniting Church school set on 100 acres of parkland.
www.cornishcollege.vic.edu.au Cornish College | 65 Riverend Road, Bangholme, VIC 3175 Telephone +61 3 9781 9000
School Tours: Saturday 16 July Wednesday 10 August Saturday 3 September All tours begin at 10.00am. Please register online.