“We are arresting more offenders than ever before.”

Inspector Coloe doesn’t quibble with the statistics. “All crime, especially high-harm crime, is a concern to me and the community.”

He is armed with some alarming and frustrating statewide statistics that he is keen to share.

“Offending by children remains a significant concern. While children only account for 12.8% of all offenders processed, they are overrepresented in serious and violent crime such as robbery.

“The statewide data shows that 62% of robberies, 47% of aggravated burglaries, and an astonishing 26% of car thefts are committed by children.

“In the latest data, police arrested 1,128 child offenders a combined 7,118 times. Those figures are up 26% from the previous year. This needs to be called out.”

“Generally speaking, we don’t have an issue with young people from here. We have an issue with young people coming here to commit crimes,” he said.

From statewide to local – it’s all connected

Coloe is aware there’s a human story behind every crime, and his officers confront it every day.

This was reinforced by the recent events at Porepunkah and the death of a police officer who was previously stationed at St Kilda. Coloe, like hundreds of other officers, was involved in mounting the intensive manhunt that has now continued for over a month.

However, that didn’t stop highly targeted operations focusing on crime on local high streets including Clarendon, Bay, Acland, Carlisle, and Fitzroy Streets. Over a five-day period in September, South Melbourne and St Kilda Uniform Police, as well as the Port Phillip Neighbourhood Policing Unit, arrested 30 people and laid over 70 charges.

“These operations disrupted organized retail theft and provided a visible police presence in the most affected areas.”

Your reports to police have a big impact

Reports from the public are the foundation of what Coloe calls “intelligence-led policing” – using daily crime data to identify hotspots and direct patrols and resources to areas where theft is most prevalent.

“Officers are deployed to high-priority locations, such as retail precincts, based on current intelligence and crime trends.”

“We also engage with local retailers and licensing forums to share information and coordinate responses.”

Coloe is concerned that an increasing proportion of retail theft is organized. “Liquor and high-value staples like meat are being stolen for resale rather than consumption by the thief,” he suggested.

“We rely on information shared by concerned residents and business owners reporting public order concerns, drug use, and other behaviors stemming from the encampments dotted around St Kilda. This is an ever-present challenge for the community, and we hear their frustration daily.”

Despite the sobering statistics from June 30, Coloe is confident the next quarter’s figures will show progress.

“We are arresting more offenders than ever before. That will have an impact.”

Planning for the events season

Police are already planning for the events and summer season demands on their resources.

“It starts with the Melbourne Marathon, followed by the Round the Bay bike ride and NYE… and then we have Pride March, St Kilda Festival, followed by the Grand Prix.”

And Coloe will be rostered on for most of them.

“That’s the positive side of policing in St Kilda. There are crime stats and visitor stats. One is about keeping crime down; the other is about people feeling safe to live their lives.”