New figures released today by the independent Crime Statistics Agency show the six-year crime trend that started in 2011 has been turned around, with people in Greater Dandenong experiencing a decline in crime rates for the past 12 months.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, said the investment in 3135 new police – the biggest police recruitment drive in Victoria’s history – funded by the Andrews Labor Government, was starting to have an impact on the ground – with crime in the Greater Dandenong local government area down by 10.1 per cent.

In the year to March 2018, property and deception offences dropped 19.6 per cent with theft down 17.9 per cent.

In fact, crime has dropped across Victoria, with 68 of Victoria’s 79 local government areas experiencing decreases in recorded offence rates from the previous 12 months – with a 9.5 per cent decrease in the crime rate.

Despite these community safety gains family violence remains one of the most significant issues facing the Victorian community with demand for services and support continuing to increase.

That’s why the Labor Government is deploying family violence police specialists to communities across Victoria to help tackle family violence.

Following the unprecedented $2 billion in Victoria Police to deliver the biggest recruitment drive in its history – the Dandenong Division will receive 46 new police as part of the 825 scheduled to graduate from the academy over the next 12 months

This year’s Community Safety Statement builds on the record police investment with new laws, more specialist police, equipment and technology to crack down on serious and organised crime.