Youth Crime in Victoria Rises by 23%

Youth crime has escalated in Victoria, with nine young people being arrested daily for offenses ranging from burglary to car theft.

However, police and the police minister insist that the figures are largely influenced by repeat offenders.

Child crime has reached its peak in 12 years in the state, with a 23 percent increase in offenses by 14 to 17-year-olds, making them the age group most associated with juvenile delinquency.

Data from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) revealed a 6.7 percent rise in recorded offenses in Victoria in the 12 months leading up to June 2024—amounting to 7,925 people per 100,000.

The increase in thefts was identified as the major factor contributing to the higher figures, with robberies being the primary category of all offenses, followed by car theft, burglary, and assault.

Alcohol is the most commonly stolen item, followed by groceries, clothing, and toiletries.

Retail stores reported nearly 8,000 more incidents, totaling 32,540 offenses.

Offenses committed by individuals aged 10 to 24 reached 49,135 incidents, marking a 12.4 percent increase from the previous year.

According to CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley, there was a 14 percent rise in property and deception offenses in the last year, driven by theft, burglary, and property damage.

“Family incidents and assaults have surged to the highest levels in a decade, with a notable increase in aggravated assaults on females and breaches of intervention orders, often accompanied by criminal damage.”

Minister Defends Figures

Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines defended the high number of arrests, stating that it indicated police were actively enforcing the law.

Over the past year, officers have made 68,579 arrests.

“There is a specific group of young repeat offenders who persist in breaking the law,” Carbines commented.

In the 12 months up to June 2024, police reported 20,399 unique offenders arrested for a total of 68,579 crimes.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Chris Gilbert highlighted that the fastest-growing crime categories in the state were largely related to opportunistic offenses such as stealing from cars, shoplifting, vehicle theft, and theft of items like petrol.

“We understand the community’s concern about the rise in home invasions,” he mentioned in a statement.

“Your home is your sanctuary, which is why an additional 70 frontline police, Dog Squad members, Highway Patrol officers, and the Public Order Response Team are patrolling Melbourne’s suburbs every night—targeting burglars and car thieves while the Air Wing monitors from above.”

“Operation Trinity has resulted in 1,550 arrests over the past year—averaging more than four burglars and thieves apprehended across metropolitan Melbourne daily.”

Police emphasized that the overall number of break-ins in Victorian homes remains below levels seen in the past decade.

In a statement, Victoria Police noted that although crime rates have risen in the state, when considering the growing population, the rate is reduced to the fifth highest crime rate over the past ten years.