MARCH 27, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Wyndham crime up By Alesha Capone
Teen on a mission
(Joe Mastroianni)
Sex offences, thefts and drug crimes in Wyndham have increased, but several other major offences have declined, according to data from Victoria Police. Figures from the state’s Crime Statistics Agency, released last week, show overall crime in Wyndham rose slightly between December, 2017, and December last year, from 14,236 offences to 14,485. According to the agency, there were four homicides and related offences recorded by Wyndham police in that time (compared to two in 2017), 360 sexual offences (328 previously), 5195 thefts (4632 previously) and 406 weapons and explosives offences (395 previously). Wyndham police also recorded 650 drug use and possession crimes (compared to 528 in the year to December, 2017), 93 drug dealing and trafficking offences (74 previously) and 58 drug cultivating or manufacturing crimes (52 previously). Wyndham local area commander Chris Allen said more drug offences were being detected in Wyndham “due to the targeted operations we run and some of the good work by our local officers”. Acting Inspector Allen said the 25.7 per cent increase in drug dealing and trafficking offences demonstrated that the Altona North Divisional Response Unit (which covers Wyndham) had “also been working hard to curb serious crime and the harm drugs cause in the community”. “While we recognise that those who use drugs have a health problem, we also know that drugs are a big contributor to crime and we are committed to holding those people who are pedalling drugs in our community to account,” he said. Also in Wyndham’s crime statistics, assaults fell from 1307 offences to 1213, arson from 96 to 67 offences, property damage from 1138 to 1014 offences, burglaries and break-and-enters from 1467 offences to 1134 and deceptions from 1193 offences to 993. “We are pleased to see decreases in non-family violence related assaults in the community, with drops in both serious (down 24 per cent) and common assaults (down 22 per cent),” Acting Inspector Allen said. “It’s also encouraging to see there has been a significant decrease in residential burglaries – thanks to the hard work of local police we’ve seen a 22.7 per cent [drop] in the category.”
For Sanctuary Lakes teenager Sarah Peart, fashion and fundraising go hand-in-hand. The 16-year-old has been named a national finalist in this year’s Miss Teen Galaxy Australia. She is one of three Victorian girls who will take part in the national finals on the Gold Coast from April 30 to May 4. Winners at the national final will fly to the US for the international finals in August. Sarah, who is also a professional model, said that Miss Teen Galaxy was her first pageant. As part of the pageant, she is fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “I’ve done so much research on the foundation and I think it’s one of the most beautiful charities you can fundraise for,” she said. Sarah said she had been organising sausage sizzles and raffles at her school, Emmanuel College in Point Cook, to raise funds. She had also placed a Make-A-Wish donation tin at the Gift Givers Gallery in Watton Street, Werribee. Sarah said she was looking forward to combining her communication and modelling skills at the national final. See @sarahpeart_ on Instagram for details, or https://making-wishes-happen. everydayhero.com/au/sarahpeart_ to donate to Sarah’s fundraising efforts. Alesha Capone