VASSE is sitting at the top of the crime ladder with an influx of robberies from unlocked vehicles and burglaries in this year’s end of financial year statistics.
Busselton senior sergeant Steve Principe said the rise from 26 in 2013-14 to 72 (176.9%) was due to the amount of new houses under construction.
“The area is developing and on occasion goods are left on unlocked construction sites,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Principe said illicit drugs were, like last year, still the biggest driving force behind crime in Busselton with drug detection rates increasing 11.1 per cent.
Busselton police have been targeting illicit drug use this year through house raids and vehicle checks.
“We find that people who commit offences are those who have a drug habit,” senior sergeant Principe said.
Overall crime has reduced by 11.2 per cent compared to 12.9 per cent last year.
Senior sergeant Steve Principe said it was extremely pleasing to see another year of reduction in crime.
He said Busselton’s crime trend goes against other regional towns similar in size.
“This result demonstrates how members of the public have helped police with information about illegal activities,” senior sergeant Principe said.
- Motor vehicle theft 8.1%
- Illicit drug detection 11.1%
- Broadwater 11.2%
- Busselton 15.1%
- Geographe 34.1%
- West Busselton 11.7%
- Yalyalup 15.2%
- Domestic violence 30.6%
- Assault 18.5%
- Robbery 37.5%
- Burglary 10.9%
- Theft 10.7%
- Damage 7.3%
- Graffiti 45.5%