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Latest Victorian crime stats show serious family violence-related assaults at highest levels since 2016

The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian recorded crime statistics for the year ending 30 September 2025 last month.

Here’s a breakdown of the latest statistics for the Outer East region:

In the Yarra Ranges, criminal incidents were up 8.5 per cent on the previous year (5841 from 5383), with 32.9 per cent having charges laid, 21.9 per cent yet to have charges laid and 45.2 per cent unsolved.

Lilydale (1159 incidents, up from 1088), Mooroolbark (818 up from 687), Chirnside Park (667 up from 591), Kilsyth (437 down from 438) and Healesville (336 up from 315) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (602 incidents), breaching a family violence order (582), theft from a retail store (507), criminal damage (493) and other theft (475) were the most common offences.

In Knox, criminal incidents were up 6.8 per cent on the previous year (8311 from 7779), with 30.2 per cent having charges laid, 16.1 per cent yet to have charges laid and 53.7 per cent unsolved.

Wantirna South (1519 incidents, up from 1353), Boronia (81439 up from 1252), Ferntree Gully (1327 up from 1281), Rowville (1173 down from 1202) and Bayswater (904 up from 852) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (1434 incidents), theft from a retail store (895), other theft (786), criminal damage (563) and breaching a family violence order (520) were the most common offences.

In Maroondah, criminal incidents were up 9.2 per cent on the previous year (6752 from 6182), with 33 per cent having charges laid, 16.2 per cent yet to have charges laid and 50.8 per cent unsolved.

Ringwood (2940 incidents, up from 2799), Croydon (1480 up from 1309), Bayswater North (692 up from 594), Ringwood East (534 up from 508) and Heathmont (322 up from 259) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (1027 incidents), theft from a retail store (618), other theft (577), breaching bail conditions (512) and criminal damage (416) were the most common offences.

In Cardinia, criminal incidents were up 20.1 per cent on the previous year (7067 from 5886), with 30.2 per cent having charges laid, 16.5 per cent yet to have charges laid and 53.3 per cent unsolved.

Pakenham (3884 incidents, up from 3387), Officer (1213 up from 919), Beaconsfield (522 up from 258), Koo Wee Rup (226 up from 200) and Emerald (178 up from 153) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (61156 incidents), other theft (643), breaching a family violence order (631), criminal damage (529) and motor vehicle theft (373) were the most common offences.

Statewide, the rate of recorded offences increased, up 9.0 per cent to 9030.2 per 100,000 Victorians in the last 12 months, while the number of offences increased 10.8 per cent to 640,860.

Property and deception offences had the largest increase in the last 12 months, up 14.2 per cent or 47,031 to 378,884 offences. The main driver of the increase was theft offences, up 37,676 to 245,975 offences due to stealing from a motor vehicle offences, which increased 18,577 to 86,600 offences in the last 12 months.

In the 12 months to 30 September 2025, the number of criminal incidents increased, up 12.3 per cent or 52,780 to 483,313 incidents. The rate also increased, up 10.4 per cent to 6810.2 per 100,000 Victorians. Criminal incidents have reached their highest recorded figures since the commencement of CSA reporting in 2004-05.

Alleged offender incidents increased 16.4 per cent to 197,143 in the last 12 months, as did the rate up 14.3 per cent to 3134.2 per 100,000. Theft incidents increased by 24.4 per cent or 8873 to 45,287 alleged offender incidents. Specifically, stealing from a retail store incidents increased 28.5 per cent or 4558 to 20,576 alleged offender incidents.

The victimisation rate increased by 9.5 per cent to 3935.1 reports per 100,000 Victorians. The number of person-related victim reports was up 11.4 per cent to 279,269 and organisation reports was up 15.1 per cent to 116,750. The rise in victim reports made by individual people was primarily driven by thefts (up 18.6 per cent to 131,131).

Family incidents increased by 3.2 per cent in the last 12 months, with 105,379 incidents recorded across Victoria. The rate also increased, up 1.5 per cent or 1484.9 incidents per 100,000 Victorians.

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that the number of family violence serious assault recorded by Victoria Police is at its highest levels since 2016.

“A key contributor to the increase has been the new choke/strangle/suffocate family member offence, which came into effect in October 2024.” Ms Dowsley said.

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