THERE has long been a perception that regional centres are somewhat insulated from the types of crimes that are common in metropolitan areas.
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Sadly, with each year that passes, that notion appears to hold less and less truth.
Bendigo jeweller Martin Ruffell’s is one local shop owner who recognises that times are changing – and not always for the better.
Following a spate of violent and destructive jewellery store smash-and-grabs in Melbourne, the small businessman is beefing up his security.
He fears the disturbing trend could spread to Bendigo, placing staff and customers in harm’s way.
In a pre-emptive move, the jeweller has installed a new electronic lock on his shop’s front door, meaning people wishing to enter must be buzzed in.
It is confronting that one of our CBD traders feels such a measure is necessary, but that is increasingly the reality of the world in which we live.
The days of leaving houses and cars unlocked and trusting that they will not be targeted by thieves is, unfortunately, long gone for most people in our community.
Figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency last week show that property and deception offences jumped by 20 per cent from 4585 in March 2016 to 5531 in March 2017 in Greater Bendigo.
Undoubtedly, drug addiction is playing a significant role in the rise in these crimes, but it is far from the only reason.
Regional areas are experiencing high levels of unemployment and when money is tight some people inevitably gravitate towards crime.
The housing and rental affordability crisis crippling the capital city to our south is also a factor in driving the financially desperate into the neighbouring regions.
Also, there is an inescapable sense that people simply do not respect other people’s possessions like they once did.
There is no silver bullet to bringing down the crime rate.
In the lead up to next year’s state election, we have witnessed Labor and the Coalition vowing to get tougher on offenders, but there is little evidence harsher sanctions actually provide genuine deterrents.
Instead, the attention of our political parties should be focused on addressing the underlying causes that lead people to commit offences in the first place.
- Ross Tyson, deputy editor