DATA released last week by Independent Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) confirms significant increases in offending across the year ending in December 2024, with the number of criminal incidents in Greater Shepparton rising by 19.7 per cent, higher than the statewide 18.7 per cent increase across Victoria.
Greater Shepparton had the fifth highest offence rate in Victoria, with 14,697.2 offences per 100,000 estimated resident population, an increase of 19.7 per cent.
Sexual offences rose by 27.35 per cent, drug use and possession increased by 35.13 per cent, theft jumped 36.80 per cent, and arson almost tripled, exploding to 76 arson incidents, an increase of 181.48 per cent.
The surge in serious offences confirms community sentiment that crime is out of control, said Member for Nothern Victoria, Wendy Lovell. “The latest crime data confirms that the Allan Labor Government cannot keep Victorians safe or break the cycle of crime for a growing cohort of young offenders,” she said.
This concerning spike in serious offending comes as almost 1,000 frontline Victoria Police positions remain vacant and many police stations across the state remain closed due to ongoing staffing shortages.
As crime surges, the State Government is reportedly forcing Victoria Police to find almost $2B in savings across the next four years, after the government cracked down on public service overspending. Ms Lovell said these forced cuts show that Premier Jacinta Allan is not serious about tackling crime.
Furthermore, she highlighted that last State Budget confirmed an almost $20M cut to crime prevention, community-based offender supervision and youth diversion programs, as Labor’s net debt is set to reach $187.8B by 2027-28.
“Greater Shepparton needs more police on the beat, but this Labor government cannot deliver what the community needs,” said Ms Lovell. “Ongoing frontline police shortages and cuts to the police budget and crime prevention initiatives, are real-world consequences of Labor’s financial mismanagement.”
