Victorian crime statistics show offences down across the state
UPDATE: BOYS aged 10-14 have been revealed as Victoria’s most likely repeat crooks as the latest crime statistics show an overall drop in crime for the first time in six years.
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BOYS aged 10-14 have been revealed as Victoria’s most likely repeat crooks.
The finding — amid a 0.6 per cent drop in crime statewide — is detailed by Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency.
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It found boys in that age bracket responsible for an average 3.1 criminal incidents in the year to June. Males aged 15-19 had the next-highest average, with 2.6 incidents.
Of 83,000 offenders across all ages, a third were linked to more than one incident and 10 per cent to four or more.
As foreshadowed in yesterday’s Herald Sun, the Crime Statistics Agency confirmed crime in Victoria had fallen for the first time in six years.
Total offences in the year to June 30 dropped to 533,194.
The crime rate was 8659.2 offences for every 100,000 people, down 2 per cent compared with the previous year. There was a record 72,300 arrests, including almost 800 young offenders.
The number of young criminals is falling but a hardcore group of repeat offenders is still of concern.
Aggravated residential burglaries — including 50 offences under new home invasion laws — jumped 11.1 per cent despite recent inroads.
Aggravated robbery rose 8.3 per cent amid a spate of mobile phones snatched on the street.
Raids on jewellery shops fell, with only one attempt between April and June.
Car thefts and thefts from cars were unchanged. There were 80 carjacking offences under laws introduced in December — two in five of them attempted carjackings.
Family violence fell 3.3 per cent after it was made a major police focus but there were still a whopping 76,500 incidents.
“Our members have done a lot of hard work to bring the crime rate down, it’s unfortunate that too often, still, they themselves are the victim of assaults,” Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt told the Herald Sun.
“Until tougher sentences are handed to those who assault police, criminals will continue to act out their disrespect for our members through violence.’’
Crime fell in 42 of Victoria’s 79 municipalities. Melbourne, Casey, Greater Geelong, Hume and Greater Dandenong had the most offences.
The North West Metro police region posted a 3.3 per cent drop, with Nillumbik, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank and Melton leading the way.
Crime in the Southern Metro region rose 0.2 per cent but included a significant 13.9 per cent drop in Cardinia.
The Eastern police region experienced a 1.2 per cent rise and the Western region a 2.3 per cent increase.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the statewide crime improvement was encouraging.
“There are still challenges and we do not want to see this as a one-off decline,’’ she said.
Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp vowed a continued focus on “high-harm” crimes.
He said a growing number of attacks on emergency services workers had triggered particular alarm.
“We are certainly not punching bags,” he said.
“If you want to engage with police do it in a respectful way.
“We can never accept police or emergency services people being assaulted in our streets.”
Mr Crisp said the number of arrests was up by more than 10,000 compared with the previous year.
“I expect that we will continue to see this good work progress,” he said.
“We are determined to further turn around these particular crime stats.
“That’s why we’re here, that’s why we do our job.
“Victoria Police and all our members are very focused on turning around crime and keeping our community safe.”
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said crime had increased 16.1 per cent under the Andrews Government.
