Data provided by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) has found that Victoria’s crime rate has surged to its highest level since 2016.
The latest figures, covering the 12 months to December 31, 2024, reveal a 13.2 per cent increase in recorded offences.
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The rate of theft offences has reached record highs, driven primarily by a rise in theft from motor vehicles, retail store theft, and car thefts.
It has jumped by 51,248 incidents to 225,958, with motor vehicle thefts rising by 18,929 incidents.
It has reached a total of 75,731 offences in the last 12 months.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that the rate of theft offences being recorded per 100,000 Victorians exceeded historical peaks.
Dowsley said the increase was driven by thefts from motor vehicles, retail store thefts, and motor vehicle theft offences.
She also suggested that the rise in theft could be linked to cost-of-living pressures.
“These increasingly prevalent theft offences can be opportunistic in nature…especially for increases in shoplifting where increases are linked to adult offenders often in their 30s,” Dowsley said.
“Younger alleged offenders tend to be involved in theft offences involving motor vehicles.”
In response to the crime surge, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill expressed concern.
“Victoria Police continues to engage vehicle manufacturers around this issue, while vehicle owners can protect themselves from falling victim by installing cheap and easy crime prevention measures.”
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