DECEMBER 20, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Violent crimes rise Crimes involving weapons surged by more than 30 per cent in Melton in a year, while the number of young offenders soared by 37 per cent, the latest crime statistics reveal. Crime Statistics Agency data released last Thursday reveals there were 484 weapons and explosives offences in the 12 months to September 30, compared to 371 such offences in the same 12-month period the previous year. The offences included incidents involving the use of knives and potential weapons, such as baseball bats. And while young Melton offenders were only involved in 9.3 per cent of crimes overall, juveniles committed 336 offences – up from 244 in the same period the year before. Meanwhile, Melton’s overall crime rate jumped more than 16 per cent in the statistical reporting period. More than 100 arson offences were reported in Melton in the 12 months of data, with the damage bill exceeding $300,000. While Hume topped the list in the north-west for arson (592) in the 12 months to September 30, Melton was also in the higher orders, with 120 reports. The only municipalities with more arson offences were Wyndham (148) and Brimbank (129). Moorabool recorded a significant jump in arson offences in the same period – a 120 per cent rise, to 55 incidents. Overall crime in Moorabool also increased, by more than 20 per cent, to 2485, including a 19 per cent jump in domestic violence offences. And domestic violence incidents also rose in Melton, with more than 2000 offences recorded – a 10 per cent jump on the year before. Senior Victoria Police and the state government have rejected claims the state is in the midst of a “crime tsunami”. Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said it had been a really challenging year that “stretched” police resources. “Importantly, for this quarter, we are seeing us making an impact on the rate of growth … in terms of carjackings, home invasions, we know the level of concern they create because they involve violence, so particular attention has been given to that this year.” Police Minister Lisa Neville said there had been a slowing down of crime, compared with population growth, across the state. Meanwhile, emergency services want people to be extra vigilant about firebugs this summer, with authorities expecting a bad fire season.
(Dennis Manktelow)
By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Hard work brings a golden opportunity Chelsea Smith has clocked up hundreds of hours in Sunshine hospital’s in-patient wards. The Lowther Hall graduate began volunteering at the hospital in year 9, and continued throughout high school as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award requirements. To be awarded the gold International Duke of Edinburgh award,16-to-24year-olds must learn a skill, play a sport, volunteer and experience a team adventure somewhere new. Ms Smith, 18, said each week she
would visit the ward chatting to patients. “There was this one lady I went to have a chat with, she wasn’t entirely sane, but we were playing with the soft toys together. “The lady in the bed next to her said to me ‘thank you so much, she hasn’t laughed in weeks’ … even the smallest things you do make a big difference,” Ms Smith said. It would seem the philosophies underpinning the award, such as connecting within community and making a real difference, have been imbued in the young Hillside resident’s outlook. She was one of 73 Victorians to receive the gold award from
the Governor General of Victoria, Linda Dessau, at a dinner earlier this month. The awards dinner recognises the work of students participating at the highest levels of the program, and is a celebration of three years’ hard work by each. The commitments of the award didn’t seem to hinder Ms Smith’s capacity to study, though. She found out last week she was among the top one per cent of VCE students in the state, scoring an ATAR of 99.45. Alexandra Laskie