Crime wave in Mildura leaves residents fearful as community voices concerns about safety
The surging crime wave hitting Mildura is not just about numbers — it’s about people. Meet some of the victims of the surge in offending.
Mildura
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A surging crime wave has left Mildura locals living in fear, with the latest Crime Statistics Agency data ranking the city third highest for recorded offences in the state.
According to the CSA data, released for the year ending June 30, 2024, recorded offences climbed 2.6 per cent with 13,883 offences per 100,000 people, placing the region behind only Melbourne and Latrobe.
Speaking to the Herald Sun at Langtree Mall, Tania McKeon shared her daughter Bethany’s experience of being a victim of the crime wave.
“My daughter had her car parked out the front of her place and had her number plates pinched. About a month or two later the police got them back,” Tania said.
“That same night, the people who were caught with my plates came and vandalised my car. They spray painted a big d--k on the front of it,” Bethany said.
Bethany said while the police didf the best they could, it was clear they were being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of crime.
“I think the police are spread thin, there’s just too much of it going on,” Bethany said
“And with the recent changes to the bail conditions, they can’t hold on to them, and I think police are equally frustrated by having to deal with the same people over and over.
“Courts are not handling it, they keep getting bail and bail and bail and they’re not keeping them in. Then they get out and keep doing the same stuff,” Tania added.
Charlie Puafisi’s dad’s work ute was stolen, and he said that this kind of behaviour was fairly common in Mildura.
“My dad’s ute got stolen a few months ago with all his tools in it. We ended up getting it back, but it was all gutted. It’s pretty common around here,” Mr Puafisi said.
“Police are doing as much as they can, but there’s a lot going on and it doesn’t seem as if there’s enough help around.”
Peter Colley, who was visiting from out of town, said he thought the idea of setting up a neighbourhood watch was a good idea.
“I think that restarting neighbourhood watch is a good idea before things get too bad – we don’t want it to get like Alice Springs or anything like that,” Mr Colley said.
Small business owner Jenny Halls said she hadn’t yet been a victim of crime, but had definitely been made aware of it.
“We own the bike shop, so we kind of hear about all the people getting their bikes stolen, but thankfully the shop hasn’t been targeted,” Ms Halls said.
Retail employee Kate Dellar said shoplifting was a daily occurence.
“We deal with the police almost every day,” Ms Dellar said.
“I literally had someone walk in and walk out with a bag and not pay for it. It is so common, it’s beyond a joke.”
She said a lot of the crime she had experienced at work was committed by kids, leaving police limited in what they can do.
“Police do their best, but unfortunately a lot of the people committing crimes where I work are underaged and there isn’t a lot that can be done,” Ms Dellar said.
“The kids see it as a free pass. We have had adults come in during the day and suss out what workers are working and they’ll send the kids in later on. It is ridiculous.”
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was living in constant fear due to the rising crime.
“My husband works out of town, so it’s just me and the kids at home. I’m honestly scared, especially with the way things are on our street,” she said.
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