Victorians continue to be less safe in their own homes and local communities as new data confirms the continued rise in serious criminal offending under the Allan Labor Government.
Independent Crime Statistics Agency data released today has confirmed significant increases in offending across the year ending March 2024, including;
- 18.4 per cent increase in residential aggravated burglaries – which are now up 146 per cent since 2014.
- 22.7 per cent increase in motor vehicle theft.
- 34.5 per cent increase in theft from a retail store.
- More than 20 per cent increase in criminal incidents committed by youth offenders aged 10-17.
- 10.1 per cent increase in total recorded criminal incidents.
This concerning spike in serious offending comes as almost 1,000 frontline Victoria Police positions remain vacant and 43 police stations across the state remain closed due to ongoing staffing shortages under the Allan Labor Government.
Furthermore, the recent State Budget confirmed an almost $20 million cut to crime prevention, community-based offender supervision and youth diversion programs as Labor’s net debt is set to reach $187.8 billion by 2027-28.
Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said: “This data confirms the Allan Labor Government continues to fail its most fundamental responsibility – to keep Victorians safe.
“Ongoing frontline police shortages and cuts to crime prevention initiatives are another real-world consequence of Labor’s financial mismanagement and it is Victorians who continue to pay the price.
“More of the same from this tired Labor Government will not keep Victorians safe or break the cycle of crime for a growing cohort of young offenders.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot keep communities safe and Victorians are paying the price.”
