By Deanne Jeffers
CRIME is on the rise statewide, with troubling new statistics revealing an upward trend in Victoria. The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) reported last week that the number of recorded offences has surged by 5.5 per cent, reaching 7,687.5 per 100,000 Victorians over the past 12 months. The total number of offences has escalated by 7.9 percent to 535,673.
Property and deception offences experienced the largest increase, rising 14.6 percent to 299,338 offences, although still below the record peak of 324,062 in 2017. In Greater Shepparton, there were 2,747 total victim reports, translating to a rate of 3,957.8 per 100,000 people, up from 3,881.8 reported in December 2023.
The alarming rise in crime has led to calls for action. Member for Shepparton District Kim O’Keeffe highlighted the increasing local crime rates in Parliament, expressing the frustrations and concerns of local business owners and residents. Ms O’Keeffe cited several recent incidents, including multiple break-ins at Bicaro’s Ristorante, owned by Gina Sozzi and Sam Scarpari, which was targeted three times in one month.
“Gina contacted me about the break-ins. The restaurant has faced significant losses, not just in stolen stock but also in property damage,” O’Keeffe said. “This is heartbreaking for business owners who are simply trying to make a living and contribute to Shepparton’s hospitality.”
Another incident involved Shepparton clothing store Ozmosis, which suffered $15,000 worth of stolen stock and $5,000 in damages. O’Keeffe also reported that three businesses in Mooroopna experienced severe damage, resulting in significant repair costs.
CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley noted a 17 percent increase in theft offences over the past 12 months, driven by record numbers of retail thefts, as well as increases in motor vehicle theft and burglaries. “This rapid increase in property crimes may be related to cost-of-living pressures. The rise in property-related crime was the largest contributor to the overall increase in crime this past year,” Ms Dowsley said. “Offenders of these crimes come from all age groups, with retail thefts surpassing pre-COVID levels.”
O’Keeffe criticised the State Government for weakening bail laws and abolishing the offence of committing an indictable offence while on bail. “This decision has left our communities feeling unsafe, knowing that offenders are likely to return,” she said. “Our police are doing their best to bring offenders before the magistrate, only for them to receive a slap on the wrist and be back on the streets the same day.”
“I urge the government to reinstate section 30B of the Bail Act to establish that committing an indictable offence while on bail is an offence.”
The data release coincides with the State Government’s decision to become the first state to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12, despite calls from Victorian Police to lower it due to increasing youth crime reports. The changes have granted police new powers to compel youths as young as 10 to accompany them to a police station, but broader issues remain unaddressed.
