An increase in residential burglaries and theft of and from motor vehicles in recent weeks has led Gisborne community members to question why Gisborne Police Station is not a 24-hour station.
Macedon Ranges Inspector Chris Large said several arrests had been made in relation to the burglaries and police were targeting patrols to known hotspots in order to prevent further offences.
“Victoria Police is constantly reviewing police numbers, level of offending and peak times when police are required in order to keep the community safe,” Insp Large said.
“There is no current plan for Gisborne to become a 24-hour police station, however the allocation of staffing levels is reviewed regularly.
“With the introduction of the Police Advice Line in the future, our police will be out more often – investigating and attending scenes of crime rather than sitting behind a desk at a police station.”
At present Kyneton Police Station is the only 24-hour station in the Macedon Ranges. Sunbury and Castlemaine are also 24 hours.
Insp Large said local police were confident they were providing an effective policing response to the community, supported by specialist units that worked across the wider Macedon Ranges Police Service Area.
“We would like to reassure the Gisborne community that they do receive a 24-hour police response,” he said.
Insp Large said that if people required police assistance it was important they called Triple Zero (000) so the nearest police unit could be tasked to assist.
“The latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows that in the 12 months to September 2018 shows there has been seven per cent decrease in crime in Gisborne and Gisborne South,” he said.
“There were 481 offences detected in Gisborne and Gisborne South during this period. Almost 20 per cent of these were breaches of family violence intervention orders, demonstrating the commitment of police to holding offenders to account.”
Insp Large said the community could also assist in reducing these opportunistic crimes by:
– Locking all windows and doors, even when you’re at home – unlocked side and rear doors are the most common entry points for burglars.
– Locking your vehicle and removing valuable items from plain sight – particularly car keys, wallets and cash, and
– reporting suspicious behaviour or activity to Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.
