Overall crime drop, family violence rises

| December 15, 2021

Overall crime has fallen in Victoria in the past year due to COVID-19 restrictions on movement, but family violence incidents, stalking and harassment have spiked. 

The Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday released data from the 12 months to the end of September, revealing there was a 10 per cent decrease in overall criminal offences.

Burglaries declined to the lowest level in 10 years, dropping by 13.4 per cent, after Victorians endured more than 200 days locked down in their homes.

Robberies dropped by 26.6 per cent, another decade-long low, while theft decreased by 14.5 per cent, with about 3200 fewer cars stolen and 9000 fewer broken into. 

Drug trafficking and dealing declined by 16 per cent, while drug use and possession dropped by 18.4 per cent, but drug cultivation and manufacturing offences spiked by 15.4 per cent.

However, several concerning increases were recorded, including stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour, which spiked by 10.6 per cent.

Sexual offences rose by four per cent and there was a 2.1 per cent increase in assaults.

Family violence incidents increased by 2.8 per cent, as did the rate of incidents, which rose by 3.1 per cent. 

Victoria Police said 57 per cent of the stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour was family-violence related, and the spike was driven by an increase in online offending.