The crime surge across Victoria continues under the Allan Labor Government’s watch, with a crime recorded every 49.4 seconds and regional areas suffering significant increases in offences.
The total number offences recorded by Victoria Police for the year ending June 30 is 638,640 – the highest on record.
That is an overall increase of more than 16 per cent year-on-year, with motor vehicle theft surging by 42 per cent.
Figures released today by the Crime Statistics Agency for the year ending June 30 reveal the full extent of the on-going crime crisis in regional Victoria.
Regional Victorians deserve to feel safe, but the key numbers are alarming:
Latrobe City has the third highest criminal incident rate per 100,000 population in the state and is up 9.4 per cent year-on-year.
Mildura recorded the fifth highest criminal incident rate per 100,000 population in the state, registering a 5.5 per cent rise.
Greater Shepparton’s recorded offence rate rose by 23 per cent year-on-year.
Greater Bendigo, Premier Jacinta Allan’s own backyard, is up 12.5 per cent for total criminal incidents.
Total criminal incidents are up more than 20 per cent in the Pyrenees, Loddon and Northern Grampians Shires.
Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, said Labor was soft on crime and losing the fight as unwanted records continue to be broken.
“The numbers don’t lie – crime continues to spiral out of control,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We cannot accept this level of crime – it cannot become normalised.
“In government, the Liberals and Nationals will do something about it. We will be stronger on crime than Labor.
“Our Break Bail, Face Jail pledge means real consequences for repeat and youth offenders.
“Jack’s Law will be introduced, giving police and PSO’s powers to take the knives and machetes off the criminals before they get a chance to use them.
“We will invest in programs to divert young people away from crime and we will toughen sentencing.
“Labor on the other hand has cut $50 million from the police budget and left 2000 vacancies unfilled. Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage crime and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
