VIOLENCE is on the rise in Wodonga with 309 non-domestic assaults reported to police over the past year, up from 235 the previous year.

Figures released by Victoria Police yesterday also revealed increased rates in the city for other offences, including a 36.1 per cent jump in crimes against the person.

The statistics, which compared the 12 months to June with the same period last year, showed crimes against the person in Wangaratta were up 20.5 per cent, a figure almost entirely due to increased family violence.

But Wodonga Inspector Tony Davis said non-family violence assaults continued to cause significant concern to police.

“It’s clear from the policing experience that a large percentage of these offences occur between people who are known to each other and involved in some form of disagreement,” he said.

“The most concerning aspect is that these people consider violence, threats of violence or intimidation as being a legitimate means of settling their differences.

“This type of behaviour is not acceptable.”

There was a slight increase in violence in Wangaratta, with 278 non-domestic assaults recorded in the 12 months to June, up from 273.

Inspector David Ryan said it was disappointing Wangaratta had seen a rise of 8 per cent in total crimes committed.

One of the main contributors to those numbers was the rise in crimes against the person offences.

“These are almost entirely due to family violence with many committed by men against their wives and partners,” he said.

“There continues to be a rise in these types of assaults, despite the years of work being done to promote the equality of women in our society and the zero tolerance approach by police to dealing with violence against women.”

Drug offences rose 16.8 per cent in Wangaratta, while in Wodonga they were down 4.7 per cent.