Related: Theft drives increase in crime in Bendigo

THE city centre topped the list of almost all types of crime committed in Bendigo in the 12 months to June, while some smaller suburbs recorded significant increases in thefts and drug offences.

The Crime Statistics Agency released figures for 2015-16 this week, including a breakdown of offending for individual suburbs.

In the Bendigo suburbs, the rate of burglary and theft continued to rise, with some of the biggest increases reported in White Hills and Huntly.

There were 30 burglaries in White Hills from July 2015 to June 2016 – double the figure from the previous 12 months. Theft also almost doubled, with 82 reported.

In Huntly, the 25 reported burglaries was an almost 100 per cent increase from the previous year, and thefts increased 131 per cent to 37.

There were 65 burglaries each in Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square – both an increase on the previous year – while Kangaroo Flat had 386 thefts compared to 190 in Golden Square.

At the other end of Bendigo, most types of crime reduced in Eaglehawk.

There were 43 burglaries – a 36.8 per cent drop – and an almost 10 per cent reduction in the rate of assaults. Thefts continued to rise however, reflecting an overall trend throughout Bendigo.

Drug offences remained a relatively uncommon form of offending in Bendigo, despite a significant increase in the last 12 months.

More than 130 people were charged with drug offences in the CBD, a 72.7 per cent increase.

Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square both had about 50 drug offences, while Epsom recorded six times as many as the previous year, with 18.

Despite being one of Bendigo’s smaller suburbs by population, Long Gully saw an increase in crime across most categories. Thefts increased to 121 in 2015-16, and there were 32 burglaries – both an increase of about 40 per cent.

The figures were similar in neighbouring California Gully, where there were 81 reported crimes against the person – including assaults, sexual crime, robbery and stalking – an increase of 88.4 per cent, the fastest of any Bendigo suburb.

Crime was uncommon in the outer areas. Strathfieldsaye reported 19 burglaries and 17 thefts, compared with 15 burglaries and 11 thefts in Marong.

Strathdale and Kennington recorded fewer thefts and burglaries than other larger suburbs.

There were 98 thefts and 15 burglaries in Strathdale, and 60 thefts and 24 burglaries in Kennington.

Flora Hill recorded 62 thefts and 18 burglaries.