DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Crime doubles in idyllic Victorian town as locals 'fed up'

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Residents of Creswick, a town in central Victoria, Australia, report a significant increase in crime, with local businesses being repeatedly targeted.
  • Police statistics show offenses in the 12 months to March this year rose to 313, up from 188 in the same period last year, a doubling in three years.
  • Locals are concerned about the lack of overnight police presence, which they believe emboldens opportunistic criminals.

An idyllic town in central Victoria is on edge as crime rates have more than doubled in the past year, leaving residents and business owners feeling increasingly unsafe. Creswick, a community of just 2,800 people, has seen a noticeable surge in criminal activity, prompting calls for greater police intervention.

There's been excessive amounts of crime that's been going on, and it seems to be getting worse.

— Christine MolloyThe publican of The Farmers Arms Hotel described the rising crime in Creswick.

Christine Molloy, publican at The Farmers Arms Hotel, described the escalating situation, noting her establishment was broken into twice in just four nights. "There's been excessive amounts of crime that's been going on, and it seems to be getting worse," Molloy stated. She longs for the days when doors could be left unlocked, expressing a desire to "feel safe again and live in the town that I moved to and I love dearly."

I want to feel safe again and live in the town that I moved to and I love dearly.

— Christine MolloyMolloy expressed her desire for a return to safety in her hometown.

Across the street, Shirl's Cafe owner Warren Porter echoed these concerns, as his business has also been repeatedly targeted. Both Molloy and Porter believe the town is being deliberately targeted after dark by opportunistic criminals due to the absence of police overnight. "They [perpetrators] have been out on the street while we're all sleeping," Mr Porter said, hoping for more police presence during night hours.

They [perpetrators] have been out on the street while we're all sleeping.

— Warren PorterPorter, owner of Shirl's Cafe, explained why criminals target the town at night.

State crime statistics reveal a stark increase, with 313 offenses recorded in the 12 months to March this year, compared to 188 in the same period the previous year. This represents a doubling of property crime in Creswick over three years. Despite the local outcry and visible evidence, Victoria Police have described the crime increase as "slight" and maintain that the town remains a safe place to live. Residents have reported difficulties reaching police after hours, with calls sometimes being redirected to stations over 60 kilometers away.

While we're all sleeping.

— Warren PorterPorter described the timing of the break-ins in Creswick.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog