The Victorian suburbs where young criminals are running rampant

The tide of youth crime in Victoria is turning as police successfully crack down on offenders — but these suburbs remain hotspots for young law-breakers.

Police crackdowns on youth crime appear to be succeeding in Victoria, with new data indicating the number of offenders aged between 12 and 30 has declined in recent years.

While some areas are seeing the number of law-breakers within this age bracket in the hundreds, data collated by Crime Statistics Agency Victoria shows the total number of crimes committed by youths each year is on the downturn.

For instance, in Craigieburn the number of youth offences recorded by Victoria Police has almost halved in the past two years, with similar numbers also seen in Cranbourne.

However, there is still work to be done, with some suburbs recording thousands of youth offences every year.

Here are the state’s top 10 suburbs ridden with youth crime based on data collated between April 2022 and March 2023.

In Melbourne, 2647 offences were recorded in the past year. Picture: Neil Whitaker

Melbourne

Youth crime in the CBD continues to dominate the rest of the state, with a total of 2647 offences committed by 12 to 30 year olds in the past year. Crimes against the person – which include homicides, assaults, sexual offences, stalking, harassment and acts of endangering people – were the most common offence, with a total of 795 felonies recorded. The amount of public order and security offences committed followed closely behind, with 508 related felonies committed.

Mildura

Out in the regions, youth crime in Mildura has returned in almost record numbers since the pandemic with 1043 felonies recorded for the area. The number of property and deception offences – which consists of break-ins, robberies, arson and property damage – skyrocketed to 497, which is the highest figure seen since the April 2016 to March 2017 period.

In Mildura, 1043 felonies were committed by youths in the past year. Picture: Darren Seiler

Dandenong

In the southeastern suburb of Dandenong, which has a population of 158,208 people according to the latest census, a total of 1032 felonies were committed by young people aged between 12 and 30. Theft was the most recurring crime, with Victoria Police recording 222 offences, followed by public order and security offences.

Frankston

While crime in the coastal suburb of Frankston has increased since the April 2021 to March 2023 period by 160 offences, the rate is still considerably lower than in the past. Between April 2013 and March 2021, the total number of crimes committed by youths in this area each year was above 1200. Like Mildura, property and deception offences were the most common crimes committed in Frankston.

About 941 offences were recorded in the beachside suburb of Frankston. Picture: Alex Coppel

Shepparton

About 180km north of Melbourne, the humble town of Shepparton – which is home to 68,409 people – ranks fifth, with 734 crimes committed in the past year. The most committed felony recorded by Police are in the category of justice procedure offences and other offences, with 157 wrongdoings recorded.

Morwell

In the small southeastern town of Morwell, which is situated in the La Trobe Valley of west Gippsland, a staggering 731 offences were committed. About 14,068 Victorians inhabit the suburb where the third most common crime committed was under the category of arson, property damage, deception and bribery offences. Meanwhile, the felony which was committed the least was drug offences.

For a small town, Morwell has a significant crime rate.

Werribee

Out in the west, young law-breakers allegedly committed 615 crimes, with assault and related offences the second most common crime committed behind justice procedures offences and other offences. Theft closely followed behind in addition to public order and security offences, with a collective total of 218 felonies recorded.

Geelong

About an hour’s drive out of Melbourne, assaults and related offences made up almost a quarter of all crimes committed by youths in the past year. The regional community, which consists of 327,878 people, also commonly see youths commit public order and security offences, with 120 felonies recorded. This was closely followed by justice procedures offences and other crimes.

In Geelong, 583 offences were recorded in the past year. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Ringwood

Closer to the CBD in Ringwood, young law-breakers mostly stole property, with police catching 135 teens and young adults in the act in the past year. Meanwhile, a total of 122 crimes against the person were recorded in addition to 243 property and deception misdemeanours.

Pakenham

In tenth place, Pakenham saw the same amount of crimes committed by youths as its inner-CBD counterpart of Ringwood, with 580 felonies recorded. Theft was one of the most common felonies, followed by assaults and burglaries with a collective 704 offences observed in these areas.

Other suburbs where youth crime was most recorded in the past year are Traralgon, Preston, Reservoir, Bendigo and Broadmeadows respectively.