Newly released crime statistics confirm what many Victorians have long feared, crime is on the rise, and Labor has no answers to tackle the crime crisis that they created. These figures, alarming as they are, likely understate the true extent of criminal activity across the state. The Crime Statistics Agency has confirmed that criminal offending has reached the highest recorded figures since the agency began reporting in 2004-05.
Police shortages have led to widespread underreporting and a growing number of unsolved cases. The reality is that many offences go undetected are not investigated simply because our police force lacks the resources to respond.
The Allan Labor Government has failed to deliver on its promise to hire additional police, with figures from the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) revealing a shortfall of 2,333 available officers.
This includes approximately 700 officers on workers' compensation, 300 senior officers expected to take an early retirement package, 233 staff on extended sick leave, and 1,100 vacant positions yet to be filled. The Acting Police Commissioner has acknowledged that it could take up to five years for Victoria Police to return to full operational strength.
Labor has cut nearly $50 million from Victoria Police's budget, leaving frontline officers overstretched and under-equipped. These budget reductions have compromised public safety and undermined the ability of law enforcement to protect our communities.
Crime is spiralling in Victoria, with an offence committed every 50.3 seconds.
There's been an 18 per cent increase in youth offending over the last 12 months, with a total of 25,275 offences committed by young offenders - one every 20.8 minutes.
Labor has failed to get violent crime under control, with 17,732 serious assaults recorded in the year to March - up 14 per cent compared to last year.
Victorians are already paying the price for Labor's failure. Under this Labor Government, crime rates have soared.
- All offences: 17 per cent increase since March 2024, 627,268 offences in 12 months (36 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Aggravated robbery: 21 per cent increase since March 2024, 3,352 offences in 12 months (A 56 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Non-aggravated robbery: 2 per cent increase since March 2024, 424 offences in 12 months (61 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Residential aggravated burglary: 30 per cent increase since March 2024, 7,878 offences in 12 months (222 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Non-residential aggravated burglary: 130 per cent increase since March 2024, 503 offences in 12 months (419 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Motor vehicle theft: 47 per cent increase, 31,551 offences in 12 months (90 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Theft from a motor vehicle: 39 per cent increase, 82,414 offences in 12 months (67 per cent increase over 10 years)
- Retail theft: 39 per cent increase since March 2024, 41,270 offences in 12 months (107 per cent increase over 10 years)
Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin said the data proves what Victorians already know.
"This is evidence that what Labor is doing is not working - community safety is clearly not their priority and Victorians are suffering."
"We're now in a position where people do not feel safe in the one place they should - their home."
"Every Victorian knows that this government cares more about the headlines than the safety of their residents."
"Labor has lost control of crime in this state; only a Liberals and Nationals government will ensure that if you break bail, you will face jail and that offenders face consequences for their actions."
Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick said: "Labor has failed Victorians on law and order. The sustained rise in crime over the past decade is a damning indictment of this Government's neglect and mismanagement."
"Today's figures are deeply concerning, but they only scratch the surface. With Victoria Police critically underfunded and understaffed, countless crimes are going unreported and undetected."
"Labor has created a crime crisis and cannot be trusted to fix the very problems they caused. Cutting law and order funding amid record crime levels shows this government is either incompetent or out of money - or more likely both."
YOUTH CRIME DATA
Year on year change by age group, compared to March 2024
- Youth (10-17 years): 18 per cent increase (25,275 incidents)
- 10-14 years: 10 per cent increase (7,253 incidents)
- 15-17 years: 21 per cent increase (18,022 incidents)
10 Year change by age group, compared to March 2015
- Youth (10-17 years): 42 per cent increase
- 10-14 years: 45 per cent increase
- 15-17 years: 42 per cent increase
Youth offending in the year ending March 2025:
- Crimes against the person: 7,776 offences recorded, five per cent increase
- Property and deception: 14,367, offences recorded, 28 per cent increase
- Drug offences: 608 incidents recorded, one per cent increase
- Public order and security offences: 1,632 offences recorded, 12 per cent increase
- Justice procedure offences: 768 incidents recorded, a 12 per cent increase
