Latest crime statistics show increases in drug use and possession and weapons and explosives offences

MEDIA RELEASE

Embargo: 9:00AM Thursday 17 December 2015

Latest crime statistics show increases in drug use and possession and weapons and explosives offences

 
The Crime Statistics Agency has today released its recorded crime statistics for Victoria for the year ending 30 September 2015.

Recorded crime statistics show that there were 482,959 offences recorded by Victoria Police in the year to September 2015, up 6.0% compared to the same period last year.

The crime rate was 8,115.5 offences per 100,000 people, an increase of 4.0%. There were 72,376 family incidents recorded, an increase of 9.6%.

Offender incidents increased by 6.8% from 154,445 in the year ending September 2014 to 164,941 in the year ending September 2015.

Victim reports made to police have increased by 2.5% compared to the same period last year, making the victimisation rate 4,857.8 per 100,000 population.

Crime Statistics Agency Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that there are similar trends in this quarter to previous periods. 'Weapons and explosives offences and drug use and possession offences have again seen statistically significant increases this quarter' Ms Dowsley said.

'The Southern Metro police region has seen an increase of 9.5% in the past year, driven by statistically significant increases in the Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong Local Government Areas.'

The Crime Statistics Agency commenced operations on 1 January 2015. The Agency is responsible for processing, analysing and releasing rolling 12-month Victoria Police crime statistics every three months. 

Further information, including Local Government Area data, can be found in the latest crime statistics quarterly release, available to download from the CSA website:

http://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/home/crime+statistics/latest+crime+data/

For further information please contact: 
Brad Petry
Manager, Operations & Development
Phone: 0408 169 338
Email: info@crimestatistics.vic.gov.au (External link)