There were 627,268 criminal offences recorded in Victoria in the twelve months to end of March 2025 – an increase of 91,692 offences or 17.1%.
When population growth is considered, the crime rate rose by 15.2% from the previous twelve months (8,838.7 offences per 100,000 people).
For a third consecutive quarter, Victoria Police recorded the most arrests since electronic records began in 1993, and most likely, in Victoria Police’s 172-year history.
Police arrested 25,917 people a combined 75,968 times – the equivalent of 208 arrests per day. Overall arrests have increased by 23% over the last decade (61,989 in 12 months to March 2016).
The five fastest growing crimes are mostly property crimes, which is traditionally the case in difficult economic times. In order, these crimes are:
Theft from motor vehicle (82,414 offences, +23,259 or 39.3%) remains the most common and fastest growing crime.
Theft from a retail store (41,270 offences, + 11,493 or 38.6%) continues to hit record highs, as cost of living pressures bite.
Motor vehicle theft (31,551 offences, +10,099 or 47.1%) is at its highest levels since 2002.
Theft (other) offences was the fourth fastest growing crime (58,137 offences, +9,879 or 20.5%), with petrol the most common item stolen in this category (5,627, +1,167 or 26.2%).
Family violence order breaches (63,809, +9,848 or 18.3%) increased as Victoria experienced a record 106,247 family violence incidents (+10,271 or 10.7%). Most breaches are committed using technology, with offenders using mobile phones and social media to target victims.
Other key areas of interest include:
Child crime (10-17) remains at the highest levels since electronic records commenced in 1993 (25,275 incidents, +17.9%).
Aggravated residential burglaries remain at historic highs (7,878, +1,839 or 30.5%).
Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations David Clayton says “There is no doubt overall crime is higher than both the community and police would like.”
“That’s why every police officer is working tirelessly to reduce crime and hold criminals accountable – as they did in these twelve months with a record 75,968 arrests.”
More details can be found at https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/
