Opportunistic thefts continue to frustrate local police as latest statistics show an overall 11.6 per cent increase in crime.

The data, released by the Crime Statistics Agency, showed 4885 offences recorded in the Baw Baw region in the past 12 months.
Family violence, stealing from vehicles, criminal damage and theft continue to drive the local crime rise.
Baw Baw police services area acting inspector Glenn Parke said the majority of crime occurred in Warragul and Drouin. "We did see increases across most of the townships within Baw Baw - with the exception of Yarragon, which had a slight decrease."
"Warragul and Drouin are by far leading the charge." Warragul topped the list with 2217 offences recorded. Drouin followed with 1228 offences, Trafalgar had 321, Longwarry saw 226 and Yarragon was 169.
Act insp Parke urged the community to play its role in reducing crime by locking and securing property.
He said the days of leaving property unlocked - even in rural locations - was gone, reminding residents that such actions could cause later insurance complications.
"We know that we've got opportunistic thieves that have plenty of time on their hands to wander and look for the person who has left their vehicle or house unsecured" act insp Parke said.
Data showed theft from motor vehicles increased 26 per cent in the past year, with 328 offences reported.
“We’ve had a real spate of vehicle crime,” he said. “If your vehicle is parked, no matter how short the timeframe, secure it and remove valuables.”
Youth crime continues to remain high in Baw Baw, with those aged 10 to 17 years representing 20 per cent of all alleged offenders.
In the past year, 397 children allegedly committed crimes. This group was surpassed only by the 45 plus age category, with 407 alleged offenders.
However, the 18 to 24 year age bracket is the second lowest, at 230 alleged offenders.
“It’s something police are well aware of and we’re working with partner agencies to encourage these youth offenders away from crime,” act insp Parke said.
Young offenders also were largely behind a rise in arson offences, with 42 offences reported in the past 12 month. This was up on 25 in the previous year.
“Most of those relating offences have been relatively minor incidents that were carried out in our public spaces, like parks,” he said. “For a number of those offences, police identified the offenders, particularly youth offenders.”
In those cases, they were referred to arson prevention programs, he said.
“It’s timely coming into summer to remind the community about the danger of lighting unauthorised fires,” act insp Parke added. “We remind the community if they see suspicious activity or are concerned about people lighting fires to immediately ring 000.”
Local police also reported they continued to work with neighbouring police regions to identify and hold offenders to account.
“Over the last year, we’ve had a notable issue in offenders travelling into the Baw Baw region either from metropolitan areas or Latrobe Valley. This is often linked to theft of motor vehicles in our area and neighbouring areas.”
“Once these offenders have stolen vehicles, they are using them to travel around a broad area and commit crimes.”
The most common location for crime in Baw Baw is overwhelmingly residential homes.
There were 1350 reports at houses - up 33.4 per cent on last year. This was followed by 457 on streets/footpaths, 167 in driveways/carports, 116 at retail and 104 at service stations.
Act insp Parke said aggravated burglaries or burglaries at houses were behind the increase as well as thefts of motor vehicles from attached garages.
On a positive note, he said incidents at public transport hubs had reduced after being identified as a police focus as well as deception crime.
He said the drop in deception reflected state-wide messaging and better public education on restricting personal information shared over the phone and online.
“This is pleasing, particularly with prevalence of scams within the community. We know there are a number of ways the community are targeted by people trying to scam them.”
High incidents of family violence continue to concern police, rising to 1283 reports in the past 12 months. This is a 34.3 per cent increase on the previous year.
“But, the increase in offences is also encouraging in that victims or witnesses of family violence have increased confidence to report matters to police,” act insp Parke added. “It’s an indictor we are holding perpetrators to account.”
Statistics showed 950 breaches of family violence orders, topping the offences list and accounting for 19 per cent of all Baw Baw crime.
“This is contributed to the fact police are obtaining intervention orders to protect victims,” he said.
The data also showed police action of arrest or summons for almost 50 per cent of offences. Only 28.8 per cent remain unsolved.
A rise in crime was reflected across all Gippsland police areas.
Baw Baw’s 11.6 per cent increase was similar to the 11 per cent reported in Wellington and 11.6 per cent in East Gippsland.
Latrobe, although experiencing more than 2.5 times more crime with 12,556 offences reported, saw a smaller overall increase of 7.6 per cent.
The largest increase was reported in South Gippsland with 20.3 per cent, followed by Bass Coast with 18.9 per cent. Cardinia also increased 19.1 per cent.
Act insp Parke said police relied on community information to solve many crimes.
“Even sometimes just slightest bits of information - a suspicious vehicle seen in a particular area at a particular times - can help,” he said. “Sometimes that little bit is missing and helps us solve a crime, and often solve others that are linked.”
To report suspicious activity, contact your local police station or make an anonymous report to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au