THERE has been a 34.9 per cent rise in criminal incidents in the Southern Grampians Shire jumping from 772 in 2023 to 1076 for the year ending September 2024 according to the quarterly statistics released by the Criminal Statistic Agency this week.

The quarterly statistics also show that for the township of Hamilton there has been a spike in crime from 638 incidents in 2023 to 886 this year.

Breaches of family violence intervention orders was the leading crime with 142 incidents recorded this year compared to 74 last year.

Criminal damage was also up from the previous year jumping from 90 last year to 114 this year, followed by theft that also spiked with 41 recorded last year jumping to 71 this year.

Theft from a retail store was also up from 32 last year to 67 this year followed by stealing from a motor vehicle up from 22 in 2023 to 48 this year.

Houses were the leading location for criminal incidents with 442 recorded for the year within 112 houses compared to 329 the previous year.

This was followed by a street, lane or footpath with 125 incidents recorded for 2024 compared to 92 incidents in 2023.

Next was a flat, unit or apartment with 36 incidents recorded at those locations this year compared to 22 in 2023.

This was followed by supermarkets and other retail outlets both up to 32 and 25 incidents recorded in 2024 respectively, up from 11 and 21 in 2023. 

The next top four towns or locations that recorded crime, were, Coleraine with 51 incidents up from 49 the previous year, Penshurst with 44 up from eight the previous year while Dunkeld and Branxholme both recording a decline with 10 in Dunkeld down from 16 and Branxholme recording nine down from 10.

Holiday season watch

CHRISTMAS and New Years sees a spike in family violence and demand for emergency services, crisis hotlines and emergency housing.

According to Victoria Police figures, police attend a family violence incident as often as once every five minutes during the Christmas and New Year period.

Crime Statistics Agency and No to Violence Men’s Referral Service figures show that 67 per cent of assaults on Christmas Day are family violence related, 58 per cent of assaults on New Year’s Eve are family violence related and 65 per cent of assaults on New Year’s Day are family violence related.

Crisis hotlines have reported spikes of 25-30 percent on Christmas and Boxing Days and relief and emergency housing demand spikes by up to 40 percent over the same period.

According to Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West chief executive, Jodie Hill, these figures represent only a portion of the family violence that actually occurs.

“The Christmas and New Year’s period in Australia is notorious amongst police, crisis support services and family violence responders for a spike in incidents and demand for services,” she said.

“We also know that many family violence incidents go unreported, so this number is only representative of a portion of incidents.”

Multiple factors contribute to these rates.

Evidence shows that alcohol consumption has been one of the most consistent risk factors for family violence, and is known to increase over the festive season.

Increased stress can lead to greater frequency and severity of controlling, abusive or violent behaviours.

Existing financial pressure, already at extreme levels for many in the cost-of-living crisis, can be heightened at Christmas.

While increased stress levels at Christmas can be a contributing factor, Ms Hill said there is no excuse for violence.

“Many people experience increased stress at this time of year, and most don’t use violence,” she said.

“Violence and abusive behaviours are never okay and there is no acceptable excuse.”

Ms Hill urged people to be alert to signs of violence.

“We hold a collective responsibility to be alert to signs of violence … and simply asking someone ‘are you safe at home?’ may be the difference between that person seeking support or not,” she said. “Checking in on your loved ones might just be the best gift you can give.”