Crime ‘stable’ on peninsula
Booked in an instant: Police and the Sheriff’s office last Thursday used number plate recognition technology to identify motorists with outstanding warrants driving along Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Mornington. Dunns rd was blocked to prevent motorists turning before passing through the police scanner. Picture: Gary Sissons
CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula has bucked the rising statewide trend according to the latest figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency. While reported offences across Victoria in 2015 jumped by 8.1 per cent compared to 2014, crime on the peninsula remained “stable”, in the CSA’s opinion, with a 5.4 per cent rise between 2014 and 2015. Crimes against the person, including assault, fell on the peninsula from 1579 in 2014 to 1410 last year. There were eight homicides last year and seven in 2014. There were 10,997 reported crimes across the peninsula last year compared to 10,303 in 2014. The crime statistics are released by the Crime Statistics Agency every quarter and the latest figures were published last Wednesday. At a Melbourne media conference last Thursday Premier Daniel Andrews said he is unhappy at the statewide rise in crime. “Victorians don’t want any excuses and I will offer none,” he said. “Instead what I will say to every Victorian, and indeed, first among them, to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Graham Ashton, if you need additional powers you will get them. “If you need additional resources, you will get them.” Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton said street gangs, such as the Apex gang who rioted in Melbourne CBD last Saturday evening, were mostly responsible for a rise in vehicle thefts and aggravated burglaries.
Man dies after utility hits tree POLICE are seeking witnesses to a crash at Red Hill South early Saturday in which a man in his early 20s died. It is believed the man’s white Ford Ranger utility failed to negotiate a right hand bend leaving the road to the left and hitting a tree on the south side of the road. Investigators have been told the utility was travelling west along Stanleys Rd, between Tonkins and Red Hill roads. The driver died at the scene. Leading Senior Constable Adrian Shelbourne, of Hastings highway patrol, said the collision is believed to have occurred between 4am and 6.50am. His death brought this year’s road toll for the state to 75, 15 more than at this time last year. Anyone who witnessed the crash can call Leading Senior Constable Shelbourne on 5970 7800, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au
Crash survivours
Premier pledge: Daniel Andrews has vowed to give police the resources to smash gangs involved in violent burglaries and car thefts.
2016
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FOUR people survived a light plane crash at Tooradin Airfield on Sunday. Witnesses say strong winds appeared to buffet the Cessna 182T as it came into land. The plane struck three other planes as it came into the airfield, bending in half before it came to a halt. The four people aboard, a man in his 50s, another in his 20s, a woman, 31, and a four-year-old girl were all taken to Frankston Hospital and treated for light injuries, bruises and shock. The crash happened at about 1pm in full view of diners at the airfield restaurant. CFA crews and police were quickly on the scene but there was no fire or explosion.
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