Sexual crime reports rise in the Wingecarribee Shire

This is what Officer-in-Charge at the Southern Highlands Police Station Inspector John Klepczarek believes is behind a rise in reports of sexual offences in the shire. This rise was reported in the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) quarterly report.

According to the quarterly report, the number of reports of sexual offences has risen in 2018, but this number remained stable over a two-year period from 2017 to 2018.

The report said sexual assault has increased from 22 reports in 2017 to 32 reports in 2018. Meanwhile reports of indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual offences have increased from 37 reports in 2017 to 41 reports in 2018.

“The cases are historical. The royal commission [into institutional responses to child sexual abuse] has encouraged people to come forward,” Inspector Klepczarek said. “When people feel they are ready to report, that’s when they come forward.”

Meanwhile the report stated number of liquor offences has increased significantly in the Wingecarribee Shire, with a 61.4 per cent rise per year over a two-year period.

There were 113 reports of liquor offences in 2018, compared to 70 reports in 2017.

“The increase in those offences is a reflection on the attitude of the local police,” Inspector Klepczarek said.

“We won’t tolerate alcohol-related crime or anti-social behaviour. If you’re doing the wrong thing and disturbing others, action will be taken against you.”

The number of incidents of prohibited and regulated weapons offences has increased, but remained stable over a two-year period.

According to the report, there were 57 reports in 2017, and 81 reports in 2018.

Incidents of intimidation, stalking and harassment remained stable, but the number of reports increased from 141 in 2017 to 142 in 2018.

Meanwhile reports have other crimes have decreased over a two-year period. 

This included assault crimes (domestic assault, non-domestic assault and assault police), incidents against justice, robbery, arson, disorderly conduct, drug offences and pornography offences.

Reports of theft decreased by 24.1 per cent over a two-year period.

According to the BOCSAR quarterly report, there were 889 reports of theft in 2017 and 675 reports in 2018.

There were no reported incidents of homicide crimes, betting and gaming offences or prostitution offences.

Inspector Klepczarek said to see a fall in crime in the shire was encouraging.

“It’s encouraging to see crime dropping again, considering the crime rate for the Southern Highlands is very low compared to other areas in the state. We live in a very safe community,” he said.

Inspector Klepczarek said the fall in crime was due to a partnership between the police and the community.

“To have crime fall further is very encouraging and rewarding for police,” he said.

“However we can’t claim all the kudos for the drop in crime, a big part of it is thanks to the community.

“It’s quite clear that people in the Southern Highlands don’t tolerate crime or people doing the wrong thing, and are very happy to come forward and give police information.

“We want that cooperation to continue because much of our success is a result of the good relationship we have with the general community, the business community and the school communities.”