A new VicHealth survey revealed Buloke Shire residents felt the safest in Victoria, with 98.9 per cent of people saying they could walk alone during the day and 86.9 per cent at night.

In West Wimmera Shire, 95.4 per cent of people felt safe walking alone during the day and 80.7 per cent at night.

The Victorian average is 92.5 per cent during the day and 55.1 per cent at night.

Horsham Inspector Rebecca Olsen said while it was great Wimmera residents felt safe, it was important to remain vigilant.

“In terms of crime in the Wimmera, our crime statistics are very healthy but that also means we need to continue to be vigilant,” she said.

“There is significant work being done by our members, which goes unnoticed.

“There are many hours of policing across work units, along with community partnerships that are committed to ensuring our community not only feels safe but is safe.

“It is great to see this reflected in these results.”

Wimmera residents were also more trusting of their neighbours.

In Yarriambiack Shire, 87.6 per cent of people agreed people were willing to help each other out, 86.5 per cent of people felt they in a close-knit neighbour and 87.7 per cent of people agreed people in their community could be trusted.

Inspector Olsen said last year there were 38 vehicles stolen in the region.

“A majority of these vehicles were unsecured and with keys also available,” she said.  

“There are the opportunistic criminals who commit offences that are completely avoidable.

“The flow on effect of becoming a victim and innocently contributing to offending is enormous.

“There are simple measures that we can all take, such as securing our bicycles, locking our cars, securing the contents of our vehicle and even making arrangement for neighbours to bring our bins in when we are away on holidays.

“This all helps reduce the chance of becoming a victim.”

Inspector Olsen said the Wimmera continued to be an area where all agencies and communities genuinely wanted to better the environment they lived in.

“However, we cannot be complacent,” she said.

In Hindmarsh Shire, 91.2 per cent of people were welling to help others, 84.4 per cent felt they live in a close-knit neighbourhood and 88.7 per cent agreed their neighbours could be trusted