The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian recorded crime statistics for the year ending 31 December 2024 today.
The rate of recorded offences increased, up 13.2% to 8,691.6 per 100,000 Victorians in the last 12 months, while the number of offences increased 15.7% to 605,640. Property and deception offences had the largest increase in the last 12 months, up 21.9% or 63,479 to 353,624 offences. The main drivers of the increase were Theft offences, which was up 51,248 to 225,958 offences and Steal from a motor vehicle offences, which were up 18,929 to 75,731 offences in the last 12 months.
In the 12 months to 31 December 2024, the number of criminal incidents increased, up 18.7% or 71,885 to 456,453 incidents. The rate also increased, up 16.1% to 6,550.6 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 17.1% to 187,496 in the last 12 months, as did the rate up 14.3% to 3,042.2 per 100,000. Theft incidents increased by 36% or 11,098 to 41,890 alleged offender incidents. Specifically, Steal from a retail store incidents increased 47.1% or 5,970 to 18,644 alleged offender incidents.
The victimisation rate increased by 16.8% to 3,817 reports per 100,000 Victorians. The number of person-related victim reports was up 19.4% to 265,972 and organisation reports was up 29.3% to 109,311. The rise in person victim reports was primarily driven by theft (up 29% to 120,240).
Family incidents increased by 11.3% in the last 12 months, with 104,786 incidents recorded across Victoria. The rate also increased, up 8.8% or 1,503.8 incidents per 100,000 Victorians.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that “the rate of theft offences being recorded per 100,000 Victorians has exceeded historical peaks, driven by record-high numbers of steal from motor vehicle, steal from retail store and motor vehicle theft offences recorded by Victoria Police in 2024.”.
“These increasingly prevalent theft offences can be opportunistic in nature and may be linked to cost of living pressures, especially for increases in shoplifting where increases are linked to adult offenders often in their 30s. Younger alleged offenders tend to be involved in theft offences involving motor vehicles.” Ms Dowsley said.
More detailed information is available on the latest crime data (External link) webpage.
For further information please contact:
Crime Statistics Agency
Email: info@crimestatistics.vic.gov.au (External link)