The latest crime statistics for Victoria show crime is still rising in the state despite attempts by the government to halt the trend.
The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) figures for the year to September 30 show the rate of recorded offences grew by nine per cent in the past 12 months and the number of offences grew by 10.8 per cent.
The main driver of the increase was a rise in theft offences, which grew by more than 37,000 incidents over the course of a year.
The last set of statistics, released in September, revealed the highest number of criminal incidents in Victoria since records began.
That trend has continued, with the CSA reporting that criminal incidents have reached their highest level since it started reporting figures 20 years ago.
In an effort to curb growing crime, the Allan government tightened bail laws in March, with particular reference to serious youth offenders.
It continued its crime crackdown by enacting a machete ban, which came into effect at the start of September.
Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the government will keep working to bring the crime rate down.
“Our latest crime statistics remain unacceptable to the government, they should remain unacceptable to the community,” he said.
These crime statistics are the first to be released since Premier Jacinta Allan introduced a ban on machetes. (ABC News)
“We’ve made, as a government, a number of legislative reforms, justice reforms to toughen consequences. Adult time for adult crime.
“Our tougher bail measures have seen remand up 26 per cent for adults and up 71 per cent for youth.”
Mr Carbines said the government expected to see some “stabilisation” in the crime rate in the March quarter of 2026.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said the government had failed to address the rise in crime.
“Labor’s weak laws, funding cuts and police shortages have triggered a crime crisis that is causing immense damage across the state and impacting too many Victorians every day,” she said.
Young offenders still a concern, police say
Victoria Police said while this data release contained no new figures on knife crime, police had seized more than 16,000 edged weapons this year.
“Victoria Police is determined to reduce the crime levels in this state — we are here for all Victorians,” Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said.
“Far too many innocent people are being impacted by crime, with many suffering from ongoing physical, psychological or financial issues.
“Our hardworking officers continue to hold criminals to account, with 3,000 arrests of Victoria’s worst youth offenders, record family violence enforcement and the removal of 16,000 knives from the hands of dangerous criminals in the past year.”
Deputy Commissioner Hill raised concerns about the number of repeat offenders in Victoria, saying that cohort accounted for 25 per cent of the state’s crime.
He said repeat offenders within the 12 to 17 age bracket were of particular concern.
“That particular group still remain a focus of Victoria Police. Still, that particular group drives some of the crime types that cause significant harm in the community,” he said.
Hundreds of machetes and knives were handed in during an amnesty period which ended on November 31. (ABC News: Nicole Asher)
Youth offenders were driving an increase in aggravated burglaries, home invasions and armed robberies.
“Those particular children are committing those offences more so than other age groups,” Deputy Commissioner Hill said.
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Theft incidents increased by 24.4 per cent over the reporting period, with stealing from retail stores being the main driver of the increase, rising by 28.5 per cent.
The CSA said family incidents rose by 3.2 per cent in the last 12 months, with more than 105,000 incidents recorded across Victoria.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said the number of family violence serious assaults was at its highest level since 2016.
“A key contributor to the increase has been the new choke/strangle/suffocate family member offence, which came into effect in October 2024,” she said.
The release of the statistics came after police responded to reports of a brawl at Mordialloc involving more than 100 teenagers on Wednesday afternoon.
Victoria Police said the group of teenagers entered a supermarket and caused damage before becoming involved in a brawl at Mordialloc Pier.
Police used OC spray, known as pepper spray, to disperse the crowd, which threw bottles and attempted to assault officers.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested and released pending further enquiries.
Police said there were no injuries and no weapons were sighted.