Victoria’s most dangerous suburbs, country towns revealed
Homicides, thousands of assaults and countless break-ins. These are Victoria’s safest and most dangerous towns and suburbs. See the full list.
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Ararat in western Victoria has taken the title of the state’s most dangerous region, as sexual assaults skyrocket.
Across the state an average of 1135.3 violent crimes are committed per 100,000 people per year, according to the most recent Crime Statistics Agency data.
The safest local government area is Golden Plains in the Grampians region, where there are fewer than 412.3 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
Ararat’s crime rate is almost seven times higher.
Per capita, Gippsland is the most dangerous region with 1779 violent offences per 100,000 people, while Greater Melbourne is the safest with 935 offences per 100,000.
Melbourne City is the state’s capital for robberies (119.4 per 100,000), Queenscliffe the worst for aggravated home burglaries (132.5 per 100,000) and Ararat has the highest rate of sexual offences (1149.5 per 100,000).
See if your town or local government area has made the list.
GREATER MELBOURNE, HIGHEST CRIME RATES
MELBOURNE
Population 169,961
The heart of Melbourne is also the state’s hotbed for major crimes with 4121 violent crimes reported over the past year – an average of 11 per day.
The figure includes 11 homicides, 2963 assaults and 625 sexual offences, reaching Melbourne's highest rate of 2460 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
Melbourne recorded the highest rate of assaults across the state (2310.7 per 100,00), highest rate of robberies (140.3 per 100,000) and highest rate of rioting and affray (177.9 per 100,000).
Melbourne’s most frequent violent offences are non-family violence common assault (640.1 per 100,000) and non-family violence serious assault (413.2 per 100,000).
YARRA
Population 98,521
Second on the list for the Greater Melbourne region is the City of Yarra, which takes in Melbourne’s north and eastern suburb, and has a violent crime rate of 1489.3 offences per 100,000 residents.
Yarra recorded 1499 violent offences over the past year, including two homicides, 210 sexual offences and 107 robberies.
The inner metropolitan municipality’s most frequent violent offences are non-family violence common assault (347 per 100,000) and non-family violence serious assault (269.7 per 100,000).
GREATER DANDENONG
Population 166,094
With more than 2400 violent offences reported in Greater Dandenong over the past year, the southeastern LGA has Greater Melbourne’s third highest violent crime rate of 1465.2 offences per 100,000 residents.
Greater Dandenong recorded Melbourne’s highest rate of family violence common assault offences, with a rate of almost 370 per 100,000.
The 130 square kilometre LGA suffered five homicides, 1622 assaults and 431 sexual offences over the past year.
Greater Dandenong’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (369.9 per 100,000) and non-family violence common assault (283.5 per 100,000).
PORT PHILLIP
Population 113,200
On the northern shores of Port Phillip, the inner city municipality recorded 1603 violent incidents over the past year – reaching Melbourne’s fourth highest crime rate of 1413.4 offences per 100,000 residents.
Port Phillip holds Melbourne’s second highest rate of aggravated burglaries (85.5 per 100,000) just behind Maribynong, which recorded more than 116 per 100,000 residents.
Over the past year, the bayside suburbs saw two homicides, 288 sexual offences and 70 robberies.
Port Phillip’s most frequent violent offences are non-family violence common assault (345.6 per 100,000) and sexual offences (253.9 per 100,000).
HUME
Population 224,394
Coming in at the fifth most dangerous of Greater Melbourne's 31 local government areas, Hume had the highest total number of homicide and related offences over the past year with nine incidents.
2854 violent offences were recorded in the outer-north western suburbs, including 615 sexual offences, 96 robberies and three charged with terrorism offences.
Hume’s crime rate was 1162.2 violent offences per 100,000 residents in the 2020/2021 financial year.
Within the LGA the most frequent violent offences were family violence common assault (321.3 per 100,000) and sexual offences (250.4 per 100,000).
LOWEST CRIME RATES
BOROONDARA
Population 181,289
Boroondara’s suburbs enjoy the lowest crime rate across Melbourne and the second in the state with 760 violent offences recorded, including 470 assaults, 155 sexual offences and 80 aggravated burglaries.
The inner eastern LGA saw an effective crime rate of 426.7 violent offences per 100,000 residents last year which was less than half the state’s average.
Boroondara’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (106.7 per 100,000) and sexual offences (87 per 100,000).
MANNINGHAM
Population 125,508
Coming in as Greater Melbourne’s second safest LGA, Manningham recorded just 617 violent offences over the past year, totalling 484.2 per 100,000 residents.
The northeastern suburbs reported no murders, 22 robberies, 432 assaults and boasts the second lowest rate for sexual offences in Victoria with 86.3 per 100,000 residents.
Manningham’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (171.9 per 100,000) and sexual offences (86.3 per 100,000).
BAYSIDE
Population 105,718
Third on the list is the southern LGA of Bayside, which recorded 594 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 555.6 per 100,000 residents.
Situated along the Port Phillip Bay, the suburbs saw two homicides, 112 sexual offences and 90 aggravated burglaries in 2020/2021.
Bayside’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (140.3 per 100,000) and sexual offences (113.2 per 100,000).
NILLUMBIK
Population 64,941
Located on the fringe of metropolitan Melbourne, Nillumbik reported almost one violent offence per day over the past year, at a rate of 559.6 per 100,000 residents.
With no homicides, only four robberies and the lowest rate of assaults on police and emergency services in Greater Melbourne (12.3 per 100,000), residents likely think they chose the right place to live.
Nillumbik’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (134.1 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (111 per 100,000).
GLEN EIRA
Population 153,858
Greater Melbourne’s fifth safest LGA for violent crimes saw 881 offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 565.1 per 100,000 residents.
The inner south suburbs saw four homicides, 34 robberies, 547 assaults and 65 aggravated burglaries in 2020/2021.
Glen Eira’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (145 per 100,000) and sexual offences (139.2 per 100,000).
LODDON VALLEY HIGHEST CRIME RATES
SWAN HILL
Population 11,103
With a population barely above 10,000 residents, Swan Hill saw more than double the state’s average rate of violent crimes over the past year.
In the northwestern rural city 450 violent offences were recorded at a rate of 2207.9 per 100,000 residents.
Shockingly, there were 100 sexual offences, 315 assaults and 20 aggravated burglaries in the Murray River town.
Swan Hill’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (677.1 per 100,000) and sexual offences (490.6 per 100,000).
MILDURA
Population 51,903
Also on the Murray River, Mildura holds Loddon Mallee’s second highest rate of violent crime with 1748.7 per 100,000 residents, including two homicides, 677 assaults and 168 sexual offences.
The northwest city has the second highest rate of aggravated burglary in Victoria (123.8 per 100,000), just behind Ballarat with 124.4.
Mildura is the Loddon Mallee regions capital for robbery offences with 34.1 robberies per 100,000 residents.
Mildura’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (439.4 per 100,000) and sexual offences (301.3 per 100,000).
CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS
Population 13,209
Third on the list is the Shire of Central Goldfields which reported 194 violent offences in 2020/2021 at a rate of 1486.1 per 100,000 residents.
Covering an area of 1,533 square kilometres in central Victoria, 140 assaults, three robberies and 39 sexual offences were reported in the past year.
Central Goldfields’ most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (475 per 100,000) and sexual offences (298.8 per 100,000).
GREATER BENDIGO
Population 123,631
With the highest population in Loddon Mallee, Greater Bendigo recorded 1582 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 1297.2 per 100,000 residents.
Greater Bendigo’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (322.2 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (288.6 per 100,000).
The central Victorian town saw two homicides, 1016 assaults, 89 aggravated burglaries and 31 people charged with rioting and affray over the past year.
CAMPASPE
Population 37,592
Situated between Bendigo and Shepparton, the Campaspe covers the towns of Girgarre, Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester, Tongala and Rushworth which together have a violent crime rate of 1084.7 per 100,000 residents.
408 violent offences were reported over the past year, including 258 assaults, 17 aggravated burglaries and 121 sexual offences.
Campaspe’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (321.7 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (287.1 per 100,000).
LOWEST CRIME RATES
MOUNT ALEXANDER
Population 19,514
Over the past year, Mount Alexander saw a violent crime rate of less than half that of neighbouring Greater Bendigo.
The central Victorian LGA recorded only 115 violent offences at a rate of 570.8 per 100,000 residents, including two homicides, 72 assaults and 33 sexual offences.
Mount Alexander’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (163.8 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (156.8 per 100,000).
MACEDON RANGES
Population 49,388
The second safest LGA in Loddon Mallee boasts the enviable reputation of holding the lowest rate of robberies in the state at 5.8 per 100,000 residents.
With just three aggravated robberies in the past year, Macedon Ranges falls more than five times lower than the State average.
The central Victorian shire saw 340 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 658.2 per 100,000 residents, including two homicides, 199 assaults and 109 sexual offences.
Macedon Ranges’ most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (211 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (156.8 per 100,000).
LODDON
Population 7513
Third in the list is the northern LGA of Loddon which saw just 64 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 856.3 per 100,000 residents.
At a rate of about one offence every five days, Loddon saw no murders, 47 assaults, one aggravated burglary and 14 sexual offences.
Loddon’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (187.3 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (160.5 per 100,000).
GANNAWARRA
Population 10,547
Situated just south of Swan Hill, Gannawarra recorded 103 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 997.9 per 100,000 residents.
The northern LGA saw no murders, 76 assaults, 20 sexual offences and three aggravated burglaries.
Gannawarra’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (251.9 per 100,000) and family violence serious assault (242.2 per 100,000).
BULOKE
Population 6184
Covering the towns of Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake and Wycheproof, Buloke Shire reported 61 violent offences for 2020/2021 at a rate of 1011.8 per 100,000 residents.
The shire saw two homicides, 32 assaults, 23 sexual offences and one robbery over the last year.
Buloke’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (381.5 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (248.8 per 100,000).
GRAMPIANS REGION, HIGHEST CRIME RATES
ARARAT
Population 11,795
With the unenviable title as Victoria’s sexual offence capital, Ararat reported the Grampians’s highest rate of violent offences for 2020/2021.
The southwestern rural city also holds the highest rate of aggravated burglaries in the Grampians with 83.3 per 100,000 residents.
Over the past year Ararat saw 337 violent offences with most coming from assaults (145) and sexual offences (174).
Ararat’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (1449.5 per 100,000) and family violence serious assault (308.2 per 100,000).
HORSHAM
Population 19,875
Located 300km northwest of Melbourne, Horsham saw 433 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 2168.9 per 100,000 residents, including 300 assaults, 19 sexual offences and 13 aggravated burglaries.
With 14 robberies in 2020/2021 Horsham holds the highest rate of robberies in the Grampians with 80.1 per 100,000 residents – more than two times the state’s average.
Horsham’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (651.2 per 100,000) and sexual offences (465.8 per 100,000).
NORTHERN GRAMPIANS
Population 11,431
Coming in with the Grampian’s third highest rate of violent crimes committed, the Northern Grampians shire recorded 220 incidents over the past year at a rate of 1951.4 per 100,000 residents.
The 5730 square kilometre area just east of Horsham reported 149 assaults, 58 sexual offences and seven aggravated burglaries.
Northern Grampians’ most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (514.4 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (408 per 100,000).
WEST WIMMERA
Population 3862
With a small population but 49 violent incidents committed over the past year, West Wimmera has a higher crime rate than most of metropolitan Melbourne.
The shire saw two homicides, 21 assaults and 26 sexual offences in 2020/2021 at a rate of 1300 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
West Wimmera’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (689.8 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (238.8 per 100,000).
HINDMARSH
Population 5645
Located in the Victoria’s west and including the towns of Dimboola, Nhill, Rainbow and Jeparit, Hindmarsh recorded a violent crime rate of 1250.6 per 100,000 residents.
Over the past year, 69 violent crimes were committed in the LGA, including 45 assaults, 15 sexual offences, two robberies and five aggravated burglaries.
Hindmarsh’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (271.9 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (253.7 per 100,000).
LOWEST CRIME RATE
GOLDEN PLAINS
Population 23,120
Located between Ballarat and Geelong, Golden Plains is the safest LGA in Victoria recording just 412.3 violent crimes per 100,000 residents – less than half the state’s average.
The municipality saw 102 violent crimes committed in 2020/2021, including two homicides, 51 sexual offences and four aggravated burglaries.
Golden Plains’ most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (206.2 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (76.8 per 100,000).
HEPBURN
Population 15,812
The central Victorian Shire of Hepburn was the second safest municipality in the Grampians for 2020/2021.
Recording just 89 violent offences, the shire boasts a rate of 549.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
The 1473 square kilometre LGA had two murders, 65 assaults and 14 sexual offences over the past year.
Hepburn’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (154.5 per 100,000) and non-family violence common assault (111.2 per 100,000).
MOORABOOL
Population 34,158
Third on this list, Moorabool Shire recorded 294 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 798.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
These included two homicides, 179 assaults, 83 sexual offences and 18 aggravated burglaries.
Moorabool’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (225.4 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (182 per 100,000).
PYRENEES
Population 7353
Located in Victoria’s west the Pyrenees Shire includes the towns of Avoca, Beaufort, Lexton and Trawalla which saw a violent crime rate of 1071.1 offences per 100,000 residents.
The 3,435 square kilometre LGA reported a total of 81 violent offences over the past year, including two homicides, 51 assaults, 26 sexual offences and one robbery.
Pyrenees’ most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (343.8 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (251.3 per 100,000).
YARRIAMBIACK
Population 6658
The northwestern LGA reported 70 violent offences for 2020/2021 at an effective rate of 1086 per 100,000 residents.
These offences included 46 assaults, 22 sexual offences and one aggravated burglary.
Yarriambiack’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (341.3 per 100,000) and non-family violence common assault (248.2 per 100,000).
BARWON SOUTH WEST REGION, HIGHEST CRIME RATE
GLENELG
Population 19,665
Nestled in Victoria’s south west corner and located around a deepwater port, Glenelg ranked as the Barwon South West region’s most dangerous area for violent crime.
The municipality recorded 378 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 1933.2 per 100,000 residents – almost twice the state average.
These offences included four homicides, 189 assaults, 169 sexual offences and six people charged over rioting and affray.
Glenelg’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (864.3 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (301.7 per 100,000).
WARRNAMBOOL
Population 34,862
Warrnambool on the south west coastline saw 525 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 1477.6 per 100,000 residents.
These offences included two homicides, 19 burglaries, 137 sexual offences and 349 assaults.
Warrnambool’s most frequent violent crimes are sexual offences (385.6 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (343.4 per 100,000).
SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS
Population 16,135
In the picturesque southwest, Southern Grampians Shire is third on the list for violent crime rate, with 1259.2 committed per 100,000 residents.
The 6654 square kilometre LGA recorded 202 violent offences over the past year, including two homicides, 144 assaults and 42 sexual offences.
Southern Grampians’ most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (380.3 per 100,000) and sexual offences (261.8 per 100,000).
COLAC OTWAY
Population 21,503
Two hours west of Melbourne, the Shire of Colac Otway recorded a rate of 1156 violent crimes per 100,000 residents over the last year.
The LGA, which includes the towns of Apollo Bay, Birregurra, Lavers Hill and Warrion, saw 250 violent offences committed in 2020/2021 including two homicides, 191 assaults, 10 burglaries and 34 sexual offences.
Colac Otway’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (314.4 per 100,000) and non-family violence serious assault (226.6 per 100,000).
GREATER GEELONG
Population 252,217
Fifth on the list and holding the highest number of homicides in Victoria over the past year is Greater Geelong with a violent crime rate of 1063.6 per 100,000 residents.
In 2020/2021 the municipality recorded 13 homicide and related offences among 2882 violent offences recorded.
the southwest city has the highest rate of aggravated burglaries across the Barwon South West region at 84.9 per 100,000 residents.
Greater Geelong’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (231.8 per 100,000) and sexual offences (204.8 per 100,000).
LOWEST CRIME RATE
SURF COAST
Population 32,251
Sitting southwest of Geelong, the Surf Coast Shire recorded the lowest rate of sexual offences in Victoria at 78.1 per 100,000 residents – more than three lower than the state average.
In 2020/2021 the municipality was also the safest LGA in Barwon South West, recording 202 violent offences at a rate of 563.1 per 100,000.
These offences included 145 assaults, 28 sexual offences, 16 aggravated burglaries and seven robberies.
Surf Coast’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (161.7 per 100,000) and sexual offences (78.1 per 100,000).
QUEENSCLIFFE
Population 2982
Only 18 violent offences were recorded in Queenscliffe over the past year, the lowest total number in Victoria, at a rate of 596.4 per 100,000 residents.
The Borough also boasts the lowest rate of assaults across the State with 265.1 per 100,000 – less than one third of Victoria’s average.
Queenscliffe’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (198.8 per 100,000) and residential aggravated burglary (132 per 100,000).
MOYNE
Population 16,887
The third safes LGA within Barwon South West recorded 105 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 617.8 per 100,000 residents.
These included 74 assaults, 29 sexual offences and two aggravated burglaries.
Moyne’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (176.5 per 100,000) and sexual offences (170.6 per 100,000).
CORANGAMITE
Population 16,140
Located two hours west of Melbourne, the Corangamite Shire holds the title of having the lowest rate of aggravated burglaries in the state at 6.4 per 100,000 residents – a whopping 15x lower than the State average.
The municipality recorded 128 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 814.5 per 100,000 residents, including 87 assaults, 28 sexual offences and six robberies.
Corangamite’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (178.2 per 100,000) and sexual assault (178.2 per 100,000).
HUME REGION, HIGHEST CRIME RATE
GREATER SHEPPARTON
Population 66,007
Located in Victoria’s northeast, Greater Shepparton records almost two times as many violent crimes as the State’s average.
Over the past year the municipality reported 1461 violent offences at a rate of 2171.3 per 100,000 residents, including two homicides, 779 assaults, 558 sexual offences and 25 robberies.
The LGA also holds the highest rate of aggravated burglaries across the Hume region at 92.1 per 100,000 residents.
Greater Shepparton’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (829.3 per 100,000) and family violence serious assault (396.8 per 100,000).
MITCHELL
Population 44,299
Located just 40km north of Melbourne, Victoria’s fastest growing LGA is also a hotspot for violent crime.
Recording 1005 violent offences over the past year, including 505 assaults, 485 sexual offences and 10 robberies, the LGA has a violent crime rate of 2070.6 per 100,000 residents.
Mitchell’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (943.6 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (482.1 per 100,000).
BENALLA
Population 14,024
Known as the gateway to the High Country, residents of the rural city of Benalla suffered a violent crime rate of 1666.7 per 100,000 people in 2020/2021.
Police recorded 237 violent offences recorded over the past year, including 170 assaults, 49 sexual offences, nine aggravated burglaries and four robberies.
Benalla’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (478.2 per 100,000) and sexual offences (344.6 per 100,000).
WANGARATTA
Population 29,087
Famed for its proximity to some of Victoria’s finest wine growing regions, Wangaratta recorded 338 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 1157.5 per 100,000 residents.
These included 250 assaults, 75 sexual offences, two abductions and four aggravated burglaries.
Wangaratta’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (280.8 per 100,000) and sexual offences (256.8 per 100,000).
WODONGA
Population 41,429
Situated along Victoria’s border with New South Wales, Wodonga recorded 496 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 1149.5 per 100,000 residents.
These included two homicides, 313 assaults, 130 sexual offences and 32 aggravated burglaries.
Wodonga’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (301.3 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (259.6 per 100,000).
LOWEST CRIME RATE
MANSFIELD
Population 9979
Tucked in at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, Mansfield holds the title of being the safest LGA in the Hume region with a rate of 615.4 violent offences recorded per 100,000 residents.
Over the past year, 59 violent crimes were reported by police including 41 assaults, 17 sexual offences and one robbery.
Mansfield’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (177.3 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (156.5 per 100,000).
INDIGO
Population 16,490
Surrounding Wodonga in the state’s north east, Indigo Shire reported 107 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 625.1 per 100,000 residents.
These crimes included 57 assaults, 44 sexual offences and three aggravated burglaries.
Indigo’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (257 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (122.7 per 100,000).
TOWONG
Population 6054
Third on the list of the Hume region’s safest LGA’s, the rural LGA of Towong reported just 41 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 667.7 per 100,000 residents.
Across the 6,675 square kilometre municipality, violent crimes included 25 assaults, 12 sexual offences, three aggravated burglaries and one abduction.
Towong’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (195.4 per 100,000) and non-family violence common assault (114 per 100,000).
STRATHBOGIE
Population 10,545
Known as the horse capital of Victoria, Strathbogie has a rate of violent crime far lower than the state’s average.
Police recorded 95 violent offences over the past year, including two homicides, 61 assaults, 29 sexual offences and one aggravated burglary, at a rate of 858.2 per 100,000 residents.
Strathbogie’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (262 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (243.9 per 100,000).
MOIRA
Population 29,799
The north eastern LGA reported 277 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 924.5 per 100,000 residents.
These included two homicides, 179 assaults, 66 sexual offences and 23 aggravated burglaries.
Moira’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (223.6 per 100,000) and sexual offences (220.3 per 100,000).
GIPPSLAND REGION, HIGHEST CRIME RATE
LATROBE
Population 75,211
The Latrobe Valley is known for producing 85 per cent of the state’s energy, but most Victorians wouldn’t know it also has Victoria’s second highest rate of assaults, just behind the City of Melbourne.
With an assault rate of 2156.1 per 100,000 residents, the municipality has the highest rate of assaults in the Gippsland region, and more than twice Victoria’s average.
This figure has pushed the eastern LGA to occupy the spot of most dangerous area in Gippsland with 1950 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 2557.1 per 100,000 residents.
Over the 2020/2021 financial year, Latrobe recorded four homicides, 1315 assaults, 463 sexual offences, 84 aggravated burglaries and 37 robberies.
Latrobe’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (607.2 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (601.9 per 100,000).
EAST GIPPSLAND
Population 80,114
In the eastern region of Victoria, this LGA has the highest rate of rioting and affray for Gippsland with 81 people charged in the part year per 100,000 residents.
East Gippsland recorded 993 violent offences for 2020/2021 at a rate of 2061.4 per 100,000, including two homicides, 702 assaults, 190 sexual offences and 38 aggravated burglaries.
East Gippsland’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (494.1 per 100,000) and sexual offences (394.4 per 100,000).
WELLINGTON
Population 44,019
Covering a 10,817 square kilometre area and including the towns of Heyfield, Rosedale, Maffra, Newry and Yarram, Wellington Shire recorded 820 violent offences over the past year at a rate of 1816.9 per 100,000 residents.
These crimes included four homicides, 581 assaults, 162 sexual offences and eight robberies.
Wellington’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (529.6 per 100,000) and sexual offences (358.9 per 100,000).
LOWEST CRIME RATE
SOUTH GIPPSLAND
Population 29,576
Located in the south eastern corner of Victoria, South Gippsland is the safest LGA in the region but still sits above the State average in terms of violent crimes.
Over the past year, police based in the municipality reported 347 violent offences at a rate of 1136.4 per 100,000 residents.
These crimes included two homicides, 221 assaults, 114 sexual offences and two robberies.
South Gippsland’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (373.3 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (226.6 per 100,000).
BAW BAW
Population 52,015
Just under two hours east of Melbourne, the rural municipality had 855 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 1520.9 per 100,000 residents.
These offences included two homicides, 454 assaults, 355 sexual offences and 29 aggravated burglaries.
Baw Baw’s most frequent violent offences are sexual offences (633.3 per 100,000) and family violence common assault (297.1 per 100,000).
BASS COAST
Population 35,327
One of he few Victorian municipalities whose two major industries are tourism and agriculture, the Bass Coast shire, which includes Phillip Island, saw 611 violent offences recorded over the past year at a rate of 1583.4 per 100,000 residents.
These offences included two homicides, 432 assaults, 138 sexual offences, 12 robberies and 19 aggravated burglaries.
Bass Coast’s most frequent violent offences are family violence common assault (507.9 per 100,000) and sexual offences (357.6 per 100,000).
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