VICTORIA Police statistics released today show an increase in crime for the Bendigo region with a 35 per cent rise in assaults.Crimes against the person and property have both jumped in the January-December 2011 period.Bendigo Police Inspector Mark Edwards said the rise in assaults was a concerning issue."This is an area that has slowly been on the rise and police are actively targeting assaults," he said. "Our analysis into the assault data tells us that they are mainly occurring around the CBD between 8pm and 4am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays."Whilst police can target this issue it is also incumbent on the community to take action, report suspicious behaviour and to protect themselves and not become victims."Fatalities and road injury statistics have both decreased with four deaths for the January-December 2011 period."We are 80 per cent below the state average for fatalities," said Inspector Edwards."The total number of people injured on our roads has decreased and we are tracking equal to the state average. "Our police will continue to work hard in this area but it is up to everybody to be vigilant on our roads."For more, see tomorrow's Bendigo Advertiser.