By Aneeka Simonis
AGGRAVATED burglary rates have almost tripled in Cardinia Shire in the past year.
And the increase in home invasions is hugely disproportionate to that experienced by the rest of Victoria, recording hikes more than four times the rate state-wide.
Disturbingly, 15 per cent of all state-wide aggravated burglaries occurred in the Cardinia Shire, Casey and Greater Dandenong area.
The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) has revealed 3687 aggravated burglary offences were detected state-wide between July 2015 – June 2016.
554 offences were recorded in the southern metro division taking in Cardinia Shire, Casey and Dandenong over the 12-month period.
Cardinia Shire was hit with a huge 166 per cent increase in home invasions, with 80 offences recorded this period compared with 30 in the last.
The growth corridor experienced the largest increase in the crime category between neighbouring municipalities.
Casey suffered a 138 per cent increase in the home invasions, recording 320 offences, while Greater Dandenong experienced a 108 per cent hike with 154 recorded home invasions.
But all three dwarfed the average increase experienced by Victoria as a whole.
It was up 39 per cent, highlighting long-held community concerns the south-east region is being disproportionally targeted in the home invasion crime trend.
Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Phil Jury said he was “not surprised“ by the offence increase.He said it was “in line” with offences being committed across the state.
Shadow Crime Minister Edward O’Donohue used the opportunity to renew calls for more police to be deployed to the frontline.
“There’s a gang war on our streets,” he said.
