Victoria records highest number of arrests in 172 years as crime rate soars
627,268 criminal offences were recorded in Victoria in the 12 months to the end of March 2025 — an increase of 91,692 offences compared to the previous year.
Victoria Police says officers have removed an average of 44 blades from the hands of offenders every day this year.
Youth crime remains at its highest level since electronic records began in 1993. "I woke up shocked when I received a call from Victoria Police in the middle of the night telling me that my cars had been stolen and they were coming to my house," recalls Sanjeev, a resident of Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs. Sanjeev, an Indian-origin man, says the break-in—which occurred while his wife and two children were asleep—left his children traumatised. Following the incident, the family eventually sold their home. However, this is not an isolated case. Aggravated residential burglaries are 'at a historic high' in Victoria, according to the latest data revealed by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
Overall, crimes in Victoria have increased by 17.1 per cent in the past 12 months up to March 2025, the data has revealed.
One of the fastest-growing offence types was motor vehicle theft, with 31,551 offences recorded—an increase of 47.1 per cent compared to the previous year. While the CSA does not report specific data on knife-related crimes, Victoria Police says knife crime remains "an ongoing concern". 'Knife crime is another area of intense focus for Victoria Police, with officers removing an average of 44 blades from the hands of criminals every day this year," Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations David Clayton said in an official statement .
Child crime—defined as offences committed by individuals aged 10 to 17—remains at its highest level since electronic records began. Data report by CSA The Victorian Labor government has announced a series of measures to address the surge in crime. However, the state opposition argues these steps are insufficient and more action is needed.
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