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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
DATA SOURCE – Crime Statistics Agency June 2025 Release
Local government areas – percentage rise in crime in past year
| Bass Coast – up 13.2% | South Gippsland – up 11% |
| Baw Baw – up 19% | Wellington – up 18% |
| East Gippsland – up 9% | Cardinia – up 32% |
| Latrobe – up 12% |
Local government areas increase/decrease in criminal offence subgroups
| Local Government Area | Motor vehicle theft | Steal from retail | Steal from a motor vehicle | Criminal Damage | Residential aggravated | Family Violence threatening behaviour | Family violence Common Assault | Common Assault (non FV) |
| Latrobe | +64% | +84% | +9% | +17.5% | -6% | +60% | +17% | +7.2% |
| Bass Coast | +21% | +82% | +2% | +15% | +273% | +65% | +2% | +1.5% |
| Baw Baw | +84.5% | +48% | +77% | +21% | +46% | +22% | +37% | -9.5% |
| South Gippsland | +70% | +91% | +100% | +8% | +220% | +118% | -6.5% | -21% |
| Cardinia | +90% | +19% | +95% | +30% | +65% | +62% | +0.7% | +17% |
| East Gippsland | +58% | +71% | +18% | +11% | -6% | +9.5% | +18% | +50% |
| Wellington | +72% | +161% | +42% | +16% | 0% | -26.5% | +14% | +26% |
