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Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government

Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention.

By news@gippsland - 6th February 2026 - Back to News

Victoria’s crime crisis continues to worsen under Labor as new data confirms there are now 367.7 fewer full time equivalent (FTE) Victoria Police officers than when Jacinta Allan became Premier. New Victoria Police employee numbers by location data have confirmed 15,601.75 FTE officers as of December 2025, down from 15,969.45 in September 2023.

Martin Cameron said 41 Victoria police stations face closures or reduced hours, including Moe and Churchill, worsening crime and eroding community safety amid staff shortages and budget cuts

Martin Cameron said 41 Victoria police stations face closures or reduced hours, including Moe and Churchill, worsening crime and eroding community safety amid staff shortages and budget cuts

Fewer police, more crime

Over this same period, Crime Statistics Agency data shows the number of offences recorded increased more than 15% in the Latrobe local government area - 38% of which remain unsolved. The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the result was 41 police stations across Victoria shut or operating on reduced hours due to staff shortages, including in Moe and Churchill.

"With fewer cops on the beat, dozens of stations operating on reduced hours and a $50 million reduction in Victoria Police’s budget, Labor’s crime crisis is only set to worsen. Police stations in Moe and Churchill are operating on reduced hours, and the result is crime going unreported or unsolved, and ultimately community safety is being eroded," Mr Cameron said.

Crime crisis grows

Mr Cameron added, "Local businesses are still being held to ransom, and theft from retail stores across the Valley has skyrocketed a whopping 65 per cent in the past year alone. Despite criminal offending being at an all-time high, Victoria has fewer police now than six years ago - Labor’s priorities are all wrong."

"Only a Nationals and Liberals government will end Labor’s crime crisis by investing in crime prevention and ensuring consequences match community expectations. Victoria Police officers have the Coalition’s full support and it’s our top priority to ensure they’re properly resourced to do their job," Mr Cameron said.

Pictures from The Nationals for Regional Victoria Youtube channel.


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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