Concern is mounting as recent data shows aggravated residential burglary continues to rise throughout South Gippsland.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien highlighted that he had raised his concerns in Parliament six months ago when crime data released by the Crime Statistics Agency first reflected this alarming trend.
“The crime data released in September last year showed aggravated burglaries across South Gippsland were up from just one a year to 15. The latest data has now seen that number jump to 23 in the past 12 months.
“I never imagined there would come a time when I would be saying that aggravated burglaries were occurring in South Gippsland at a rate of almost twice a month!
“I’ve spoken to local police and we know that a large number of these offences have been committed by a small cohort who have been repeatedly bailed and have subsequently re-offended under Labor’s weak bail laws.
“Our local police do their best but they are let down by a Government that hasn’t supported them with the necessary resources and a revolving door justice system.”
Mr O’Brien highlighted that we are now seeing a similar trend emerge with regard to retail burglaries which have also increased by 17 per cent in the South Gippsland Shire.
“This is a very concerning trend that we are seeing reflected right across Gippsland South with retail burglaries also up 28 per cent in Latrobe and a massive 79 per cent in the Wellington Shire.
“It is extremely frustrating to see these numbers continue to skyrocket while our local police work hard to keep these criminals off the streets, only to see them not only back reoffending in a manner of weeks but boasting about it on social media.”
Mr O’Brien said it was clear that real change was needed at state government level if we want to see a change in this growing trend.
“It is clear that the Allan Labor Government cannot manage crime or bail laws, and it is regional communities like those in Gippsland South that are paying the price.”