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Neighbourhood Watch Latrobe Crimewatch News, Latrobe Police Service Area September 2014

Coming Events, Help Yourself Campaign, Hot Spots, Operation Safe Plate, NHW Communities Group Reports.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 23rd September 2014 - Back to News

Latrobe Crime Watch News

Latrobe Police Service Area

Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

September 2014

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Emergency 000, Mobiles 112, State the service you want – Police, Ambulance or Fire.

Police:

Boolarra 5169 6222

Churchill 5122 1790

Moe 5128 1100

Morwell 5131 5000

Traralgon 5174 0900

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

Neighbourhood Watch

www.nhw.com.au

Neighbourhood Watch & Safer Communities Unit – Latrobe PSA, L/S/C Brett Godden 5131 5085

brett.godden@police. vic.gov.au

Facebook:

eyewatch - Latrobe Police Service Area

Newsletter Editor

erd5nhwnewsletter@ wideband.net.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ latrobecrime.watch.3

Consumer Affairs

5116 5701.

Dispute Settlement Centre

1800 658 528

Latrobe City

1300 367 700

Nurse on Call

1300 606 024

Poisons Info 13 11 26

VicRoads – 131170

COMING EVENTS: OPEN INVITATION TO ALL LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENTS

Monday 1st September - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm

Tuesday 2nd Septem' - Traralgon Town Meeting –Traralgon RSL Boardroom, Grey St, Traralgon – 7pm Wednesday 3rd September - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm

Tues 9th Sept' - Yallourn North Action Group (NHW report given) - Monash Hall - Yallourn North –7 pm

Saturday 25th October – Moe NHW Operation Safe Plate – Woolworths Car Park, George St 9.30am-1pm

Saturday 1st November - Proposed date for re-occupancy of Traralgon Police Station

MORWELL – IT'S TIME TO HELP YOURSELF

Morwell has been chosen by Victoria Police and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to be one of six towns to pilot the new DOJ funded High Volume Crime Prevention Campaign, "Help Yourself".

With a clever play on words, the campaign encourages residents to help themselves from becoming the victim of a crime by instigating simple crime prevention strategies into their everyday lives which will deter criminals from helping themselves to the property of others.

The campaign in Morwell was launched at 2:15 pm on Friday 5th September at Legacy Place on Commercial Road by the Local Member for Morwell, Russell Northe.

Mr Northe said the Victorian Coalition Government’s "Help Yourself" campaign will help reduce opportunistic and impulsive crime by increasing people’s awareness of how they can protect their homes, cars and personal property from thieves.

"The campaign will also act as a warning to would-be offenders, letting them know of increased vigilance by the community and police," Mr Northe said.

Assisting to launch the campaign were the Department of Justice Gippsland Regional Director Will Crinall; Victoria Police's Inspector Chris Major, Morwell Senior Sergeant Melanie Hampshire; and Latrobe Police's Community Liaison Officer and Local Campaign Coordinator, Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden.

The aim of the campaign is to:

Increase community awareness about crime prevention, safety and security;

Improve community engagement and participation in preventing crime by encouraging the residents to;

1. Secure their homes,

2. Secure their vehicles; and

3. Secure their personal belongings.

Reduce crime rates for the common recurring crimes of residential burglary, theft from motor vehicle and personal theft.

Through the current Victoria Police Tasking and Coordinating process, the campaigns' pilot locations (Morwell, Ballarat, Pakenham, Whittlesea, Dandenong and Heidelberg) will task existing resources to undertake a number of activities responding to a residential burglary, theft from motor vehicle and personal theft in known hot spot areas and at times when offences are known to most likely occur.

Local Campaign Coordinator, LSC Brett Godden, said "We have already worked out our strategy for implementing the pilot campaign in Morwell. Our first targeted crime will be theft from motor vehicles with particular emphasis on the theft of unsecured tools from tradesmen's trucks and utilities."

Professional thieves take less than 60 seconds to break into most cars and steal the property that is often in plain sight. This time is reduced when the property is unsecured and is easily accessible in the trays of utilities.

To lessen the chances of property being stolen from tradesmen's vehicles in Morwell the campaign partners will be conducting displays at hardware stores where they will advise tradesmen of the crime prevention measures they can take to reduce the chances of becoming the victim of a crime.

Locally we will also be utilising our very successful Victoria Police Eyewatch – Latrobe Police Service Area, our Neighbourhood Watch Crime Watch Newsletters Facebook pages and our Latrobe Crime Watch News newsletter as avenues to promote the Help Yourself crime prevention message.

Neighbourhood Watch volunteers will commence letter drops of Morwell residences this coming weekend with the Help Yourself Morwell post card to be delivered.

An integral part of the program is the Help Yourself website. The website contains interactive crime prevention tips and resources for the three targeted offences of residential burglaries, theft from motor car and personal theft. You can find the website at helpyourself.vic.gov.au

Editor's Note: There has been some difficulty accessing the website through Internet Explorer. You may like to download the Firefox browser free of charge at

http://www.downloadinfo.co/lp/firefox/551/?_u=24rr3bk339df4jjuaug6899i7kmsrb1kq16ttdh3vvtef5os00i1-7bb19d46da6e03211a06de41a18430a8

MESSAGE FROM INSPECTOR DEAN THOMAS – LATROBE INSPECTOR 2013-2014 CRIME STATISTICS

The latest crime statistics for Latrobe show an overall increase of 3.3% in total crime by offences reported and a 3.6% increase per 100,000 head of population. The increase, which is disappointing, is driven by an increase in the number of drug offences detected and high volume crime offence categories such as theft from motor vehicles and burglaries.

The increase in the number of drug offences detected is an indication of our increased focus in this area. By targeting our efforts, we’re aiming to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and ensure users are connected to appropriate support agencies.

As you know, we commenced an operation in May aimed at reducing the instances of crimes against the person, primarily assaults and robberies in our community. Whilst I am very pleased to see the number of robbery offences have decreased by 20.3%, I am disappointed to see our assault offences have risen slightly by 2.6%. We will continue to focus on hotspots where these crimes are likely to occur and work with other stakeholders to combat this increase.

A Task Force has been created to focus on the increase in residential burglary (3.3%) and theft from motor vehicle offences (6%). Whilst it is pleasing to see a decrease in theft of motor vehicle and commercial burglary offences, we must continue to focus on property offences in order to prevent these crimes from taking place altogether. Vehicle owners can assist by ensuring they lock their vehicles and remove valuables from sight. Our statistics suggest a large number of cars from which property is stolen are unlocked.

We have had a significant decrease in the number of fatal collisions across Latrobe, down from 8 to 3 cases. Whilst this is pleasing, we will continue to focus on our road policing as we strive to reach zero fatalities and zero injuries on our roads. We have increased the number of members trained in conducting drug impairment assessments on drivers, so there will be more of these assessments taking place throughout Latrobe.

MOE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH OPERATION SAFE PLATE

Moe Neighbourhood Watch and Safer Communities Group have announced the details of its Operation Safe Plate Event. Please note the times and dates in your calendar.

When: Saturday 25th October, 2014

Time: 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Woolworths Car Park, George Street, Moe

Operation Safeplate involves replacing standard numberplate screws with Safeplate or anti-theft "one-way" screws. The screws can be fitted to nearly all vehicles and are easily installed using a standard flat bladed screwdriver. However, they can only be removed using specially designed security screwdrivers kept at most Victoria Police Stations and at VicRoads’ offices.

For a donation of $5 volunteers from Moe Neighbourhood Watch and Moe State Emergency Service will fit anti-theft safety screws to your number plates whilst you wait.

All proceeds from this Operation Safe Plate event will be donated to the Moe State Emergency Service which will be mobilising to assist us on the day.

Please spread the word and hope to see you there.

AUGUST NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

CHURCHILL POLICE SERVICE AREA CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES JEERALANG)

ROBBERY - 1 for August (Nil for July) - One offender was charged with armed robbery during August.

ASSAULTS - Nil for August (6 for July)

ARSON - 3 for August (Nil for July) - Three wheelie bins were set alight on 2nd August with two on 30th August. The bins were moved from their original positions to Mc Donald Way before being set alight. Police are also investigating an incident where a Molotov Cocktail was thrown at a residence in Gundaroo Pl overnight 24th August.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for August (5 for July) - Three offenders charged with property damage offences during August.

BURGLARY - 5 for August (3 for July) - Two offenders charged with burglary whilst police are following up an identified suspect in relation to a burglary in Coora Pl overnight 22nd August. A jockey wheel was stolen from a trailer in a residential shed in Boldings Rd overnight 9th August.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for August (5 for July) - Three offenders charged with theft from motor vehicle whilst police are following up an identified suspect in relation to another incident. Four tyres and rims were stolen from a vehicle in a mechanics yard in Philip Pde between 9th and 11th August.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for August (Nil for July)

THEFT - 3 for August (Nil for July) - One offender charged with two counts of theft during August. Two phones were stolen from a room on 15th August.

MOE POLICE SERVICE AREA CRIME REPORT

(INCLUDES NEWBOROUGH, MOE SOUTH AND HEARNS OAK)

ASSAULT - 17 for August (21 for July) - In all except two incidents an offender was charged with one facing three counts from one incident. Police are following up an identified suspect in relation to an incident in Tresswell Avenue on 19th August.

ARSON - 3 for August (1 for July) - Two of the arson incidents involve wheelie bins being set alight in residential streets. Overnight 3rd August two bins in Wirraway St were destroyed whilst overnight 26th August two bins in Monash Rd were destroyed. The veranda of a residence in Monash Rd was damaged overnight 25th August.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 19 for August (16 for July) - Seven offenders charged whilst police are following up an identified suspect in relation to damage in Hampton St on 9th August. A number of the damages relate to residential windows being smashed by various means with no attempt to gain entry.

BURGLARY - 18 for August (8 for July) - Six offenders charged with four facing three counts from separate burglaries. Garden sheds at St Kierans and Albert St Primary schools were targeted on 4th August and 7th August when unknown offenders forced doors and stole garden and power tools.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 7 for August (9 for July) - Three of the offenders charged with multiple counts of burglary also face five counts of theft from motor vehicle which were committed in the Newborough/Yallourn North area between 2nd and 3rd August. A GPS and CD's were stolen overnight from an unlocked vehicle in a residential driveway in North Rd, Yallourn North.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for August (4 for July) - Whilst there were no vehicles stolen during August one offender was charged with five counts of attempted theft of motor vehicle which were all committed in the Hernes Oak area.

THEFT - 10 for August (6 for July) - Three offenders charged. Power tools which had been left in a carport in Kingsford St were stolen overnight 2nd August. A handbag left behind at an outdoor café in Moore St was later located at the racing club grounds with all items except the victims purse inside.

ISSUES RAISED AT SEPTEMBER MEETING: Moe Operation Safe Plate – To be held Saturday 25th October. Funds raised to be donated to Moe SES. Speeding on Southwell Ave, Newborough and Saviges Road, Moe; Hooning - Wirraway Street and surrounds; Monash Rd, Newborough; Mini bikes on Treswell ave, Newborough; Motorised Mobility Devices driven on Old Sale Road. All traffic issues passed to the Highway Patrol – please make sure you make reports to Crime Stoppers. People removing articles from recycling bins –offence under Latrobe City's Local Law No. 2. Call Latrobe City on 1300 367 700 but police can also attend as they are authorised officers.

YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 1 for August (2 for July) - One offender charged with unlawful assault during August.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for Aug (Nil July) - One offender charged with two counts of criminal damage from separate incidents.

BURGLARY - 1 for August (1 for July) - Three offenders charged with burglary after an incident during August.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 5 for August (2 for July) - The three offenders charged also face three counts of theft from motor vehicle from three separate incidents. A mobile phone was stolen from an unlocked vehicle in North Rd overnight 3rd August whilst a GPS and CD’s were stolen from another unlocked vehicle in North Rd two days later.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for August (1 for July)

THEFT - Nil for August (1 for July)

BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT

The only reported crime in the Boolarra PSA during August, after one assault and one property damage in July, was a theft when between 20th July and 17th August a number of lambs were killed with skins stolen from a property in Budgeree.

MORWELL POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ROBBERY - 1 for August (Nil for July) - One offender charged with two counts of robbery from the one incident during August.

ASSAULT - 35 for August (27 for July) – Twenty-six offenders charged with assault related offences whilst police are following up five identified suspects in relation to three separate incidents. Police are investigating an incident where a young male has assaulted another male at the skate park on 17th August.

ARSON - 12 for August (1 for July) - Police are investigating a spate of bins fires which occurred overnight 23rd August in Porter St, Sherrin St and Heywood St. In total six bins were burnt. Industrial waste bins and wheelie bins were also set slight in Vary St (30/08/14), Robertson St (26/08/14) and Princes Dr (25/08/14.)

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 38 for August (27 for July) - Eleven offenders charged. Police are investigating a spate of graffiti incidents in Church St, Dayble St and Kathleen St overnight 23rd August where the tag THC and THC 3840 were sprayed on walls, fences and vehicles in residential driveways.

BURGLARY - 8 for August (14 for July) - Two offenders charged. Between 15th and 22nd August two residential sheds/garages in Symons Cres were entered with garden equipment and remote control cars stolen from one and a chainsaw stolen from the other.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 10 for August (7 for July) - Police are investigating a number of thefts from motor vehicle which involve the stealing of tools, power tools, painting equipment from work utes or the compartments/tool boxes on work utes. Four of the thefts occurred in Yarak Crt, Bridle Rd, Burnside Dr and Junier St overnight 16th/17th August.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for August (4 for July) - Both vehicles stolen during August were located.

THEFT - 11 for August (16 for July) - A ladder and wheelbarrow were stolen from the rear yard of a residence in Hare St on 15th August whilst a rabbit hutch was stolen from the front yard of a residence in Alamein St on 17th August. Police are making follow up enquiries in relation to three incidents of theft of fuel from service stations that occurred during August.

ISSUES RAISED AT SEPTEMBER MEETING: Morwell's graffiti vandals are very active again with the tags THC and THC 3840.

Hoon driving in Stanton, Butters, Angus and Tarwin Streets and on Cherry Cres Bridle Road. Discussion on holding a Road Safety Forum in Morwell early next year.

TRARALGON POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT

(INCLUDES TYERS, GLENGARRY, TOONGABBIE, HAZELWOOD NORTH, TRARALGON SOUTH)

ROBBERY - 1 for August (1 for July) - Three offenders charged with robbery as well as a number of other offences.

ASSAULT - 27 for August (25 for July) - Twenty offenders charged with assault related with police following up a number of identified suspects in relation to other incidents. Police are investigating an assault by a female on a male at one of the late night venues.

ARSON - Nil for August (4 for July)

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 13 for August (27 for July) - Five offenders charged. Police are investigating an incident where unknown offenders threw a rock at a train travelling between Morwell and Traralgon at approximately 8.45pm. The rock broke a window on the train with no person injured.

BURGLARY - 9 for August (16 for July) - Three offenders charged with one facing three counts from three separate burglaries committed overnight 6th August. Police are investigating a burglary which occurred between 4th and 9th August in Glengarry West Rd, Glengarry where a slab of beer was stolen.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 16 for August (13 for July) - Four offenders charged with multiple counts of theft from motor vehicle. All of the thefts were committed in residential driveways with a number being unlocked. Of concern to police is the increase in power tools being stolen from tradies' utes.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for August (7 for July) - Three offenders charged with theft of motor vehicle during August with both vehicles located.

THEFT - 12 for August (10 for July) - One offender charged with attempted theft whilst seven others have been charged with theft. Police are following up an identified suspect in relation to a theft in Franklin St on 24th August. A cattle crush was stolen from Scales Rd between 1st and 8th August.

ISSUES RAISED AT SEPTEMBER MEETING: Line markings on Traralgon roads –please report to Latrobe City for minor roads and VicRoads for major roads. Illegal parking at Shakespeare Street and Riley Street at school pick up time - passed onto Traralgon, Highway Patrol and Local Laws. Safety issues at Pedestrian crossing at Franklin Street – to be taken to the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee and the Liquor Accord.

HOT SPOT – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP

ARSONISTS TARGET MORWELL RESIDENTIAL STREETS

Latrobe Valley detectives are currently investigating a significant amount or arsons across the Latrobe Police Service Area. Particularly worrying are the number of offences that have been committed in the township of Morwell.

Officer in charge of the ongoing investigations, Detective Leading Senior Constable Ian Walk has made a plea to the public to assist with the investigation.

"There are people in the community who know something about one or two, or many of these fires," he said. "We need those people to think very seriously about the potential for disaster these arsonists may cause in our community and to come forward to police with any information they have."

The potential for tragedy was averted in a number of instances by the prompt response by residents and by members of the CFA responding quickly to callouts. This response was pivotal in preventing property loss and injury to members of the community.

"We will not be putting these arsons in the too hard basket," DSC Walk said. "I have been assigned to follow through and I will exhaust every avenue of enquiry available to me until we catch these offenders."

"With the bushfire season fast approaching it is imperative the offenders be identified," he said.

In August alone there were 13 arsons reported in the Morwell township.

Wed 6th August – 8.30 pm – Card-board boxes stored behind a screen in front yard in Hare St set alight.

Friday 8th August 4:30 am - Pine plantation off Crinigan Rd, stolen vehicle burnt out.

Saturday 16th August – 1pm - Vestan Drive - Metal rubbish dumpster – this fire may not be suspicious.

Saturday 23 August - Early hours of the morning – Porter Street – two rubbish bins set alight.

Saturday 23 August - Early hours of the morning – Sherrin Street – two rubbish bins set alight.

Saturday 23 August - Early hours of the morning – Haywood Street – two rubbish bins set alight.

Monday 25th August - 11 pm - Princes Dr, Morwell - rubbish in waste bin set alight outside the Health Care Centre.

Tuesday 26th August - 10:25 pm - Grant St, Morwell - vehicle set alight and private driveway

Tuesday 26th August - 9-9:40 pm Robinson St, Morwell - garbage bin set alight.

Other fires reported in the Latrobe Police Service Area during July and August include;

Saturday 2nd August – 1:20 am - Mc Donald Way Churchill - wheelie bin set alight;

Wednesday 20th August – 1:30 am - Murray Rd, Newborough - vehicle in driveway set alight;

Sunday 24th August - 8 pm - Gundaroo Pl, Churchill - Molotov Cocktail - scorch marks on brickwork on private residence;

Monday 25 August - 3:20 am - Monash Rd, Newborough - small fire on front veranda - possibly Molotov Cocktail;

Tuesday 26th August - 2 am - Gilmour St Traralgon - smoke in house and lounge damaged - investigation is ongoing.

Police request anyone with information about these and other fires in the Latrobe Police Service Area that may lead to identifying the offenders to contact Detective Senior Constable Ian WALK of the Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit on 5131 5000 or call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or make an online report at https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime/ .

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au