Crime up in Mansfield

Crime rates in the Mansfield Shire continue to rise with a 2.6% increase in offences recorded for the last year according to figures released by Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency.

State Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish MP said the increase was no surprise given the state’s law and order crisis.

“Since the election of the Andrews Labor Government in 2014 crime in Mansfield Shire has risen a staggering 21.4%,” Ms McLeish said.

“Even when Mansfield’s population growth is factored in, the rate of crime per 100,000 people has risen 13.9%.”

Ms McLeish said that burglary and theft were the main types of offences that had increased.

Burglary jumped from 58 offences in 2016 to 84 in 2017. This is more than double the 40 offences in 2014.

Incidents of theft jumped from 215 offences in 2016 to 135 in 2017 representing a staggering 59% increase.

Ms McLeish also highlighted the impact of livestock and farm crime.

“Livestock and farm crime is on the rise and can have a huge impact on productivity and livelihood.”

“In Northern Victoria alone the estimated cost of sheep stolen from farms over the last year is in excess of $125,000.”

“It’s important that property owners are prepared by tagging livestock, securing machinery and properly storing firearms,” Ms McLeish said.

Ms McLeish concluded saying “Victorians are getting sick and tired of waking to yet another story about criminals running rampant in our towns. If Daniel Andrews won’t stand up to criminals then a Liberal Nationals Government will”.