JUNE 25, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Thefts hit new high By Jessica Micallef
Gnome for the holidays
(Joe Mastroianni)
Theft offences across the Macedon Ranges have hit a 10 year high, new figures reveal. The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency reveals thefts increased from 599 offences to 826 in the 12 months to the end of March – an increase of 37 per cent. Macedon Ranges Police Inspector Chris Large said police were aware of the upward trend. “In relation to theft, we have had a spike and what we have noticed in those numbers, is we had a really low year in 2018 and then we’ve gone up again to numbers consistent with 2016 and 2017. “Around January, we noticed a spike of theft in the Gisborne and Bullengarook areas.” According to the agency, property and deception offences – including arson, property damage, burglary and breaking and entering, theft and deception have risen 30 per cent (from 1050 reported offences to 1369) in the year to March, 2019. Inspector Large said the spike in deception offences (115 compared to 60) was in relation to “good work being done by police”. Drug offences, which include drug dealing and trafficking, cultivate or manufacture drugs, drug use and possession, and other drug offences, rose by more than 20 per cent (from 112 to 136) in the same time. “Over the last couple of months, we have had a strong focus on knowing where the high levels of drug action were,” Inspector Large said last week. “We had a community forum last week in Gisborne and what we’re focusing on is making sure we are visible to the community, with a particular focus over the next three months. “We’re also focusing not so much about the crime but about the people who are committing the crime.” Offences including blackmail and extortion, robbery and homicide and related offences remained steady in the year to March, 2019. In Hume, drug offences have also hit a 10-year high, with 1513 reported offences recorded in the year to March, 2019, compared to 1088 the previous year – a rise of nearly 40 per cent. Crimes against the person, including homicide, assault, sexual offences, robbery, stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour, blackmail and extortion, abduction and dangerous and negligent acts rose by nearly 11 per cent (3042 reported offences to 3376) in the year to March, 2019, compared to the previous year.
It’s gnome big mystery – the Great Sunbury Gnome Hunt is back for another year. Now in its sixth year, the event is a great way to keep the kids entertained these school holidays, according to Goonawarra Primary School parents and friends committee member Heidi Saffery. “With several schools involved, the children enjoy having lots of fun looking for gnomes hidden in 25 businesses around Sunbury,” she said. “It is a very successful and fun activity in the Sunbury community.” Children can buy a gnome hunt passport for $10 at participating schools – Goonawarra Primary School, Kismet Park, Killara Primary School, Sunbury Primary School, Sunbury West and Sunbury Heights. The passport lists the 25 Sunbury businesses that have a hidden gnome. Children then seek out as many gnomes as they can. “All money goes back to the six schools from the passport sales,” Ms Saffery said. “The businesses love the idea because it gets people into their businesses and in return they either donate a prize or they have discounts in their store. “When you return your passports after the school holidays, they all go in a barrel and you get the opportunity to win a prize. “It’s a win-win because it’s helping local businesses and it’s helping local schools to raise money.” The gnome hunt runs from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 14. Details: bit.ly/2WNUzpf CHARLOTTE, 5
Jessica Micallef