Crime in Victoria drops markedly, latest statistics reveal
CRIME in Victoria has dropped markedly, with police saying the positive results are partly down to officers targeting high risk offenders. But sex offences have recorded a sharp rise.
Law & Order
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CRIME in Victoria has dropped markedly, with police saying the positive results are partly down to officers targeting high risk offenders.
Figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday revealed there were 380,150 criminal incidents recorded in the year to March 31, 2018, down 8.8 per cent for the year. Broken down into criminal incidents per 100,000 population, the figures reveal a drop of 10.9 per cent.
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But while the decline has been attributed to a reduction in crimes such as burglary, theft and deception — which were down 12.3 per cent — sex offences have recorded a sharp rise.
Reported sex offences had a dramatic spike, up 13.4 per cent, with figures showing there were 1002 additional sexual offences for the year.
Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the results were pleasing and the crime rate was “going in the right direction”.
“We talk about crime stats but it is really important (to realise) that associated with crimes is a victim,” he said.
“Somebody subjected to something they shouldn’t have been subjected to.”
Mr Crisp said there had been around 40,000 fewer victims across the state, during the period the latest statistics cover.
Vehicle crime had decreased by around 5,600 offences. Residential burglaries had dropped by around 15 per cent, in the reporting period.
“When I used to work the van, when somebody had broken into somebody’s home, I could see the harm and the angst it caused to people,” Mr Crisp said.
“It has a huge impact on a person. It is good to see a reduction in relation to this type of offending.”
Mr Crisp thanked the force’s officers for driving down crime.
“We are targeting high risk offenders and we are able to turn around DNA samples and fingerprints more quickly,” he said.
“We have seen 192 less armed robberies,” he said.
Mr Crisp expressed disappointment that sexual offences are occurring more frequently, but said the figures were partly due to victims now feeling more confident to report a sex crime.
“We have seen an increase in sex offences,” Mr Crisp said.
“There has been a slight increase in relation to rapes up about 200 offences and in relation to indecent assault about 130.
“While it is disappointing to see the increase we do see it as a positive.
“Our intel indicates alcohol is a significant factor in relation to people becoming victims.
“I would suggest in years gone by some of these people would not report that crime, they could be too embarrassed to do that.
“There is more confidence now in reporting matters to police.”
Police Minister Lisa Neville said there are still too many victims of crime.
“That’s why we will focus our efforts on reducing crime,” Ms Neville said.
“Parts of Melbourne have their lowest crime rate since 2011.
“We have got the lowest burglary and break and enter offence rate in a decade.
“Aggravated burglaries are down 16 per cent.
“In every corner of the state our police officers are on the ground, intervening and disrupting crime. Theft is down across every single category.
“I’m hoping this gives reassurance to Victorians that we are making inroads, we are heading in the right direction, every effort is being put in to make our community safer.”