October 2nd, 2024Crime Statistics Agency data release – twelve months to end of June 2024
There were 552,228 criminal offences recorded in Victoria in the twelve months to June 2024 representing an increase of 46,014 offences or 9.1%, the state’s newly released crime data shows.
The crime rate – when population growth is considered – is 7,925 offences per 100,000 people – a 6.7% increase from the year before.
While overall criminal offences peaked to their highest levels in the past decade, when population growth is considered, the crime rate is ranked as the fifth highest over the past decade.
Released by Victoria Police late last week, the new statistics also record that 20,399 unique people were arrested for a combined total of 68,579 times. These individuals were charged with a total of 189,666 offences.
The top five offences to record the greatest year-on-year increase were:
• Theft from motor vehicle (61,959 offences, +9,103). This offence recorded the greatest increase and remains the most common criminal offence.
However, there were still 468 less crimes of this nature than in the twelve months to June 2020. The most stolen items were numberplates, power tools, and cash.
Opportunistic thieves continue to prey upon unlocked vehicles, with recent police intelligence from areas such as Port Phillip and Dandenong showing around 60% of all cars broken into in recent months were unlocked.
• Theft from a retail store (32,540 offences, + 7,936). Shop steal has reached record highs as inflation, cost of living pressures, and high interest rates continue to impact the community.
Police intelligence indicates threats of violence against retail staff has also increased as a result. Alcohol continues to be the most frequently stolen item, followed by groceries, clothing and toiletries.
The volume of alcohol and groceries stolen has reached the highest levels on record. Police have several local operations targeting shop thieves across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The largest of these operations has been taking place in Melbourne’s CBD and surrounds since July this year, leading to 36 arrests, almost 500 charges laid and around $100,000 of stolen goods recovered in a little over two months.
• Theft (other) offences (50,866 offences, +6,622). The most common items stolen during theft (other) offences are petrol, and mobile phones.
• Motor vehicle theft (23,248 offences, +4,568) and criminal damage offences (39,671 offences, + 3,549) round out the top five offences to increase year-on-year.
Police intelligence reveals repeat criminal offenders were responsible for almost two thirds of Victoria’s crime (68.0%).
Victoria’s most dangerous repeat offenders are firmly in the sights of Victoria Police, with new Crime Reduction Teams regularly knocking on their doors to encourage behaviour change and put them on notice.
These interactions include bail compliance checks, referrals to support services and diversion programs, patrols of locations where the person frequents and has offended previously, conducting Firearm Prohibition Order Checks, and extending necessary support and referrals to the individuals family.
