NEWS DESK
Tough new laws yet to show in crime stats Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au CRIME in Frankston and Mornington Peninsula is on the rise, with sex crimes, burglary and drug-related offences all increasing in the past 12 months. Overall crime in Frankston has risen 12.5 per cent in the last financial year, while the peninsula’s reported crime is up 9.6 per cent. In Frankston, sex offences increased
by 70 per cent to 481, burglary and break and enter was up 24.6 per cent to 1180, and drug dealing and trafficking up almost 25 per cent to 242. Of the 79 local government areas in the state, 75 had an increase in crime over the past 12 months. Frankston’s neighbouring cities of Casey and Cardinia also had a bad year, with close to 20 per cent more crime than last year. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke said the increase was why the government had
given police new powers and more resources to crackdown on violent crime, youth offending and family violence. “There are more operations and targeted efforts to catch criminals, with police making more arrests and charging more offenders,� he said. He said “operation cosmas� had made more than 180 arrests for violent crime since May, including ringleaders. Mr Edbrooke said 19 PCOs were now employed at Frankston to free up
police from the desk and get them back on the beat. In response to an alarming incidence of carjacking and home invasions tough new laws have been introduced this year. Carjacking carries a maximum penalty of 15 years, while aggravated carjacking a minimum of three years and maximum of 25 years. Home invasion carries a maximum penalty of 25 years and aggravated home invasion attracts a minimum
non-parole period of three years. The number of offences across the state was 535,826, up 13.4 per cent from last year, with robbery up 14.2 per cent, theft up 19.2 per cent and public nuisance offences up 30 per cent. The worst hit areas were Hindmarsh, which had a 50.5 per cent rise in crime, and Benalla, which had 40.7 per cent more crime. Shadow police minister Edward O'Donohue said more police were needed.
Arrest over adults only ‘cannabis’ raids A 28-YEAR-OLD man charged over three robberies at a Frankston adult shop in eight days will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later this week. He will face three counts of armed robbery and one count of robbery. Police will allege the Frankston man stole about $3200 worth of synthetic cannabis in raids at the Erotic Nights store in Young St on 18, 22 and 25 September. In the first raid the man walked into the store and allegedly pointed a large knife at the shop assistant before helping himself to $2000 worth of packets of the substance and running off. In the second raid the man allegedly stole $800 of the same substance and, in the third, he grabbed $400 of the substance.
Teen arrest A FRANKSTON youth, 15, has been arrested after an alleged unprovoked attack on a man near Frankston pier, 5.45pm, Tuesday 20 September. Witnesses said the youth walked up to the man, aged 45, and asked: “What did you say to me?� The man tried to avoid the confrontation but was allegedly punched to the head, falling backwards and fracturing his skull on the pavement. He was rushed to The Alfred hospital for treatment. Detective Senior Constable Dave Burgoyne, of Frankston CIU, said witnesses said they saw the youth and friends drinking in a nearby park during the afternoon. Police also gathered evidence from Frankston Council-backed CCTV street cameras. The youth was arrested the next day and charged with intentionally causing injury but the charge was later upgraded to recklessly causing serious injury. He faced a children’s court where he was remanded in custody to appear at the same court at a later date. Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call Detective Burgoyne, 9784 5555.
Portsea assault POLICE are looking for two witnesses who may have filmed an assault outside the Portsea hotel mid-year. A 23-year-old man was at the hotel, on Point Nepean Rd, 8.30pm, Sunday 12 June, when he was thrown out by security staff. Police said a fight between the victim and four security staff out front may have been filmed by the man and woman. The victim was hit in the face and knocked unconscious before falling onto the road. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police interviewed a 27-year-old Frankston man who has been released pending further inquiries. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Emergency crews on smell alert
Grove, Baxter, last week. The trailer ended up 20 metres into the scrub on the side of
A TRUCK lost its trailer in a crash near the intersection of Moorooduc Highway and Barriedale Grove, Baxter, last week. The trailer ended up 20 metres into the scrub on the side of Moorooduc Highway. Emergency services crews reported a strong smell of
chemicals coming from the trailer and it was deemed a Hazmat incident. Firefighters in full gas suits used instruments to measure gasses in the trailer before it could be removed – and afterwards they had to be hosed down. The highway was blocked south bound for a few hours. Picture: Gary Sissons
Police remember fallen colleagues A HIGHLIGHT of the National Police Remembrance Day service at Frankston RSL, Thursday, was the presentation of the Victoria Police Star to the son of a former officer who died after ending his shift. Acting Superintendent Simon Humphries, of Southern Metro Division 4 – which covers the Mornington Peninsula – made the presentation to Andrew Simmons, the son of Edward Simmons who was killed when his police motorbike crashed on Oliver’s Hill late on Christmas Eve, 1957.
Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Mornington Peninsula branch president Darryl Nation said the first constable in the mobile traffic section was riding home to help wrap Christmas presents when he lost control of his police bike. Son Andrew was two and his sister Cathy, now deceased, was four at the time. The award was presented posthumously to Andrew, the former member’s son. Mr Nation said the Remembrance Day service at the RSL headquarters
was “excellent�, giving police the opportunity to reflect on those who had died while on duty. A drummer and a piper from HMAS Cerberus performed at the ceremony and Frankston High School choir sang the national anthem. Since 1853 when Victoria Police was established, 159 officers have died on duty. The Blue Ribbon Foundation raises money for improved emergency facilities named in memory of fallen officers in public hospitals. Stephen Taylor
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times 3 October 2016
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