WYNDHAM recorded the state's biggest drop in reported crime rates last year - down 24.5 per cent.
The figures were revealed in the 2007-08 official crime statistics released by Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon and Police Minister Bob Cameron in Werribee on Monday.
They showed overall crime across Victoria had decreased by 1.9 per cent per 100,000 people, a 24.5 per cent drop since 2000-01.
According to police, crime rates are now at their lowest since the introduction of computerised recording in 1993.
Other areas where crime fell significantly last year were Frankston, Dandenong, Knox and Moonee Valley.
In Wyndham, there was a reduction in assaults (down 29.6 per cent), robbery (down 7.7 per cent) and rape (down 2.6 per cent).
There was a 25.7 per cent fall in crimes against property, with arson declining by 35.4 per cent, aggravated burglary by 16.3 per cent, theft of motor vehicles by 15.3 per cent and property damage by 12.1 per cent.
Ms Nixon expressed concern over the rise in motor vehicle thefts in Victoria, particularly of GPS devices.
A total of 6787 GPS devices were stolen last year at an average of 19 a day, up from 1632 in 2006-07.
Thefts of motor vehicles rose by 12.6 per cent across Wyndham last year. "The amount of GPS systems being stolen is astounding and what makes it more concerning is that this is a preventable crime," she said.
"Thefts from vehicles accounted for almost 14 per cent of all crimes reported to police. Drivers need to ensure that satellite navigation systems are removed from sight and phones and other small electrical items are not left on display."
Werribee's Inspector Bill Weatherly said extra police would be sent out in coming months to patrol the "hot spots" for these thefts around Wyndham, including railway station car parks.
Ms Nixon said despite ongoing resource shortages and a rise in crime last year, she praised the work of local police, led by Inspector Weatherly.
"Wyndham is one of the largest growth corridors in the state and to achieve such a turnaround in the number of reported crime is fantastic, especially when there has been such a dramatic decrease in violent offences.
"I think it's [the drop in crime] due to changes that occurred in this area, and the great work of the community and police officers.
"It's also due to the management and leadership within this station and the members who are thinking differently about they way the solve problems."
Last week, Police Association legal manager Senior Sergeant Greg Davies told the Banner the region 2 area, which includes Wyndham, required an additional 115 officers to provide "adequate" service to the community.
"Inadequate police numbers mean police are finding it increasingly difficult to stem the tide of street crime and Wyndham is one of the most under-resourced areas in the state," he said.
However, Ms Nixon said members would continue to do their best with what they had, while the force was continually looking at bringing in more resources, wherever possible.
Inspector Weatherly said the introduction of the family violence unit and the tasking unit, which focuses on repeat offenders, had made a significant difference.
The crime desk which responds and gathers evidence at the scene of offences, such as burglaries, also helped free up more members to patrol the streets.
"The members have jumped on board to my way of policing and we're reaping the benefits," he said.
"We targeted a number of areas including burglaries, and with our crime desk we're able to identify and arrest offenders within 72 hours. No other station in the state has a turnaround like that.
"There has been problems with serious assaults at nightclubs, but we've increased our police presence around these areas and at railway stations, and when that occurs, people generally have second thoughts.
"As part of the liquor accord, we meet hotel and nightclub owners every few months and visit these venues every Friday and Saturday night. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.
"With our intelligence, we're now also more able to readily identify issues in the community, such as a number of car thefts from a particular area, and act on them straight away."
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