The Victorian Crime Statistics Agency has released the latest crime data for the year up to June 2023, with a general rise in crime throughout the Outer East.
The Yarra Ranges was the only local government area (LGA) to see a decrease in the number of criminal incidents (1.2 per cent) while Maroondah, Knox and Cardinia saw rather large increases of 9.4 per cent, 11.8 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively. However, the number of offences in total increased in all of them; 5.3 per cent in the Yarra Ranges, 5.5 per cent in Maroondah, 9.1 per cent in Knox and 8.3 per cent in Cardinia.
A criminal incident can include more than one recorded offence.
Deputy Commissioner of Regional Operations at Victoria Police Neil Paterson said while crime in Victoria has increased from the state’s pandemic-affected years, the overall crime rate remains 1.4 per cent below pre-Covid levels.
“When factoring in population growth, overall crime is at its second lowest levels in the past decade – only beaten by the twelve months to June 2022 which were heavily impacted by Covid restrictions,” he said.
“There have also been less victims of crime then before the pandemic, with around 2,800 less people impacted by crime than in the twelve months to June 2019.”
In Knox, a total of 7160 criminal incidents and 9927 offences were recorded with Boronia (1316 criminal incidents and 1918 recorded offences) and Ferntree Gully (1275 and 1740) noted as the top two towns for crime in the LGA and both noting an increase in offences compared to the previous year. 2004 of the criminal incidents in Knox occurred in homes while stealing from a motor vehicle, other theft and stealing from a retail store were the most common offences and all saw an increase.
206 offences were also recorded in the Basin and 194 in Upper Ferntree Gully.
Focusing on the Dandenong Ranges, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South and Belgrave itself recorded a combined 398 offences, Upwey 219, Emerald 191 offences, Monbulk 179, Cockatoo 155 and Olinda 78.
Dep Commr Paterson said there are a number of areas of concern that Victoria Police will continue to focus on, including youth crime, home burglaries, car thefts, and firearm-related violence.
“We are making significant strides in each of these areas, as we continue to prioritise our resources according to the latest crime trends, community concerns, and ultimately where we can prevent the most harm,” he said.
“Police are reducing the prevalence of linked burglaries and car thefts. Since Operation Trinity commenced in March, there has been over 1,600 arrests and a 40 per cent decrease in this type of offending,”
“This operation will continue every evening until dawn, targeting those seeking to sneak into homes while people are home.”
