Media Release: Victoria Police respond to record numbers of family violence incidents across the state

The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian recorded crime statistics for the year ending 31 December 2019 today. 

In the last 12 months the number of criminal incidents increased by 4.6% or 17,602 incidents to 403,807. The criminal incident rate increased 2.4% to 6,122.4 incidents per 100,000 Victorians. Over the last 10 years^ the number of criminal incidents recorded has increased 28.5% and the rate per 100,000 population also increased, up 6.4%.

The number of recorded offences increased by 4.7% to 536,690 offences, while the offence rate increased by 2.6% to 8,137.1 offences per 100,000 Victorians. Over the last 10 years^ the number of recorded offences increased 41.9% and the rate per 100,000 population also increased, up 17.5%.

Alleged offender incidents increased by 6.2% (10,469 incidents) to 180,456 in the last 12 months, while the alleged offender incident rate increased by 3.9% to 3,126.2 per 100,000 population. 

In the last 12 months, the total number of victim reports increased by 5.6% to 317,675. The victim reports related to a business/organisation increased by 6.2% to 86,600. The victim reports related to a person increased by 5.4% to 231,075 while the victimisation rate increased by 3.2% to 3,503.5 reports per 100,000 Victorians. 

Family related incidents increased 6.6% in the last 12 months to the highest on record, 84,550 incidents. The rate of family incidents recorded increased by 4.4% to 1,281.9 incidents per 100,000 population. 

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that “the number of family incidents recorded by Victoria Police has been increasing since the introduction of initiatives in 2011 such the Family Violence Code of Practice. In the last 12 months recorded offences with a family violence flag have increased by 7.4% to 100,128 offences.” 

More detailed information is available on the latest crime data webpage.

For further information please contact: 

Crime Statistics Agency
Email: info@crimestatistics.vic.gov.au (External link) 

^ Please note that movements over time in recorded crime data may be impacted by changes in legislation and operational police practice.