Over 20 per cent jump in Greater Shepparton
By Deanne Jeffers
TOTAL criminal incidents in Greater Shepparton jumped 20.2 per cent in the year to March 2025, according to data from the independent Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
The region recorded 7,102 incidents in the latest figures, up from 5,909 the previous year, marking a stark rise that reflects growing a concern about community safety that stretches right across the state.
Shepparton itself accounted for the bulk of incidents in the municipality (4,856), but smaller towns also saw notable increases: Mooroopna reported 975 incidents, Kialla 246, and Tatura 227.
Offending rose across almost all settings, from homes (2,299) and public streets (1,055) to retail outlets (320) and court precincts (399). Incidents in driveways were stable at 225.
The most common offences were:
• Breach of family violence order: 921 offences
• Criminal damage: 660 / 548 in 2024
• Retail theft: 502
• Other theft: 499.
• Theft from motor vehicles: 454.
All of these categories saw significant increases compared to last year. In 40.8 per cent of cases, charges were laid, while almost the same number at 39.2 per cent remain unsolved. In 20 per cent of cases, no charges were laid.
This year’s rise builds on a 5.1 per cent increase in 2024, showing crime in Greater Shepparton is not just growing but accelerating. This year, Greater Shepparton was ranked fourth in the state for recorded offences (15,046.9 offences per 100,000 estimated resident population, up 20.4 per cent).
The picture is similar across Victoria, where the number of criminal incidents recorded by police in the year to March 31, 2025, was 474,937, up 20.1 per cent, from 395,313 incidents recorded in the same period last year. In neighbouring regions, crime also surged:
• Strathbogie: +27.4 per cent
• Mitchell: +26.5 per cent
• Benalla: +14.6 per cent
• Campaspe: +10.4 per cent.
Member for Shepparton District Kim O’Keeffe has asked the Minster for Community Safety and Police, Anthony Carbines, what actions will be taken to address the continual rise of crime in the region.
In Parliament, Ms O’Keeffe raised some of the recent crime activity including the youth machete attack which involved a group of up to 20 people, a terrifying carjacking and assault of an Uber driver, and two young women being assaulted in broad daylight in the middle of Shepparton.
“Greater Shepparton was ranked the fourth highest Local Government Area in the state for highest recorded offences rate,” said Ms O’Keeffe.
“Our local police are doing the best job they can in protecting our community. Labor has cut nearly $50 million from Victoria Police’s budget, leaving our frontline officers overstretched and under-equipped.”
Ms O’Keeffe expressed support for the upcoming Greater Shepparton PSA Victoria Police – Neighbourhood Policing Forum, that is being held on Wednesday, July 23 at 1pm at the Parklake Hotel Conference Room, 481 Wyndham Street Shepparton. She encourages all interested residents to attend and hear from our local police.
“I have asked the Minister directly if he could also attend the Neighbourhood Policing Forum to hear firsthand from our police and the community regarding their concerns around the increasing levels of crime in our region. And for him to provide his response regarding how he will assist our region on the increasing incidents of crime.”
