Crime crisis deepens in region

The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released shows the crime crisis in eastern Victoria continues to trend upwards.

The CSA has confirmed that criminal offending has reached the highest recorded figures since the agency began reporting in 2004-05.

A criminal offence is now occurring in Victoria every 50.3 seconds.

Member for eastern Victoria Melina Bath said analysis of CSA data highlights a concerning increase across all eastern Victoria local government areas in the past year.

“Of concern are increases in offences including stealing motor vehicles, aggravated burglaries, stealing from a retail store, and a rise in assaults which corroborates anecdotal evidence and the experiences of locals.

“Our hard-working police officers are fighting a tough and exhaustive battle, yet instead of better resourcing Victoria Police, the State Government cut their budget by $50 million.

“The thin blue line has been stretched even thinner – there are not enough police to keep our community safe and responding to crime.

“Victoria Police is 2333 officers short, and Labor has admitted during recent budget estimates hearings that the force will not be back to full capacity until 2030 at best.

“Labor allocated $4 million for recruitment advertising, but there has been no new money committed to employing additional officers.

“It is unacceptable that the Labor government continues underfunding our police force during a crime crisis.

“Victorians are continuing to pay the price for Labor’s failures in managing money and Victoria Police, which is resulting in crime rates soaring.”

DATA

Local government areas – percentage rise in crime in past year

Bass Coast – up 13.2 per cent

South Gippsland – up 11 per cent

Baw Baw – up 19 per cent

Wellington – up 18 per cent

East Gippsland – up 9 per cent

Cardinia – up 32 per cent

Latrobe – up 12 per cent