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Crime surges across Eastern Victoria as police numbers lag and offences hit record highs

Crime in eastern Victoria has surged to record highs, with offences rising across all local areas. The Nationals blame police under-resourcing, citing staff shortages, budget cuts, and rising community concern.

By news@gippsland - 19th June 2025 - Back to News

The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released today shows the crime crisis in eastern Victoria continues to trend upwards. The CSA has confirmed that criminal offending has reached the highest recorded figures since the agency began reporting in 2004-05. A criminal offence is now occurring in Victoria every 50.3 seconds.

Local government areas increase/decrease in criminal offence subgroups

Crime rates soaring

The Nationals' Melina Bath said analysis of CSA data highlights a concerning increase across all eastern Victoria local government areas in the past year. "Of concern are increases in offences including stealing motor vehicles, aggravated burglaries, stealing from a retail store, and a rise in assaults which corroborates anecdotal evidence and the experiences of locals."

"Our hard-working police officers are fighting a tough and exhaustive battle, yet instead of better resourcing Victoria Police, the Allan Labor government cut their budget by $50 million. The thin blue line has been stretched even thinner - there are not enough police to keep our community safe and responding to crime," she said

Police shortfall crisis

Ms Bath said, "Victoria Police is 2,333 officers short, and Labor has admitted during recent budget estimates hearings that the force will not be back to full capacity until 2030 at best. Labor allocated $4 million for recruitment advertising, but there has been no new money committed to employing additional officers."

Data below shows local government areas with a percentage rise in crime in the past year:

• Bass Coast - up 13.2%
• Baw Baw - up 19%
• East Gippsland - up 9%
• Latrobe - up 12%
• South Gippsland - up 11%
• Wellington - up 18%
• Cardinia - up 32%

"It is unacceptable that the Labor government continues underfunding our police force during a crime crisis. Victorians are continuing to pay the price for Labor's failures in managing money and Victoria Police, which is resulting in crime rates soaring," Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com