General News
2 July, 2024
City is ranked fourth worst in state for crime
Horsham has gained the unwanted title of being ranked the fourth worst municipality in the state for recorded criminal offences.
A ratio of 13,530 offences per 100,000 population saw offences in the Horsham Local Government Areas rise by 10.3 per cent year-on-year to March 31.
This was the biggest increase in the top five, led by Melbourne (up 2.8 per cent), Latrobe (3.1 per cent) and Mildura (7.6 per cent).
Around the state, recorded offences were up by 7.9 per cent, from 496,412 to 535,673.
The true crime rate, which factors in Victoria’s population growth, stands at 7,687 offences per 100,000 people – a 5.5 per cent increase from the year before.
But while overall crime has gradually increased since Victoria emerged from the pandemic, offending has still not reached pre-pandemic levels.
The top five offences to record the greatest year-on-year increase were theft from a motor vehicle, theft from a retail store, other theft offences, motor vehicle theft and criminal damage.
Motor vehicle theft - 21,463 offences, up by 3,964 - was the highest number of offences since 2017.
Victoria Police also recorded the highest number of arrests in the past five years, with 67,937 people arrested and charged in the past 12 months.
More than two thirds of the state’s total crimes were attributed to repeat offenders - most often for home burglaries and thefts.
“Overall crime continues to gradually increase from the low levels recorded during the pandemic years,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Brett Curran said.
Despite recent high-profile homicides involving partners and ex-partners, and a rise in crimes committed by children under 18, he said police were nevertheless pleased with the overall figures.
“While family violence and child and youth crime remain significant concerns, it’s pleasing that almost three years since the final Victorian coronavirus restriction was lifted, our crime rate remains 6.2 per cent below pre-pandemic levels,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curran said.
The figures were released on June 20.