Crime in Victoria has surged to a level not seen in decades, prompting police to issue a strong message to offenders in the state.Victoria Police recorded a staggering 638,640 offences in the 12 months to June 2025, an increase of 15.7 per cent – and a huge number of incidents involve stolen cars.
The state government hopes newly-introduced bail changes will soon curb the climbing crime rate.
Victoria Police said there were a staggering 638,640 offences in the 12 months to June 2025. (Eddie Jim/Fairfax Media)
The number of criminal incidents has also jumped by 18 per cent to 483,583 – the largest number of incidents seen since statistics started being reported in 2004-2005.
The fastest-growing crime is car thefts, which skyrocketed by nearly 40 per cent, while family violence order breaches rose by 16.7 per cent.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said underage car thieves are contributing to the state’s worst crime crisis in 20 years.
“We have young people driving at incredibly dangerous speeds, young people, inexperienced drivers themselves and community members at risk, our police members at risk trying to apprehend them,” he said.
Victoria experienced a record 106,427 family violence incidents during this time.
Retail theft increased drastically by 41.8 per cent too.
The latest figures also revealed there are more prohibited and controlled weapons such as knives, tasers and knuckle dusters on the streets.
These bumper crime numbers have resulted in a rapid increase of victimisation rates.
There were 3956 reports of crime per 100,000 Victorians during the period.
More specifically, the number of person-related victim reports was up 18.0 per cent to 280,805.
Jacinta Allan’s government is taking a tough stance on crime, including bail reforms. (The Age)
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said Victorians “simply cannot allow” the record levels of crime the state is facing.
“Every Victorian deserves to feel safe in their home, within the community and on the roads,” he said.
“Victoria Police is tackling these issues head on. Our members are doing exceptional work to resolve these crimes.
“But it must be said – the number of arrests we are seeing reflects an unacceptable level of offending.”
Police said the number of children offenders remains of “significant concern”.
Young offenders are “overepresented” in serious and violent crimes including robberies and aggravated burglaries.
Almost 50 per cent (47.7) of all aggravated burglaries were pereptrated by children, police said.
Victoria Police also released key bail statistics this year following the state government’s latest tranche of bail reforms.
A new bail test now applies to offenders out on bail who then commit serious crimes such as armed robbery or carjacking.
In theory, it increases the likelihood that bail is refused and aims to prevent reoffending.
And the second strike rule is targeted at individuals who are accused of repeat offending for more serious crimes, including assault, sex offences and serious drug offences.
This means the bail test for a repeat offender will be higher than it would be for a first-time offender.
“We’re confident as our bail changes continue to wash through these statistical quarters, they will see an improvement in our outcomes here on crime in Victoria,” Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.
The government has faced enormous pressure to keep the crime rate down.
“It’s clear that more of the same is just not working,” Shadow Police Minister David Southwick said.
“[The government] is doing nothing to wrestle the crime crisis that Victorians are all experiencing,” Shadow Police Minister David Southwick said.
The bumper crime numbers have resulted in a huge increase in victimisation rates. (Scott Barbour/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
The bail figures released today relate to bail decisions made across police and courts.
It found bail applications to the Magistrates’ Court increased by 18.4 per cent over the past 12 months, which was driven by more bail refusals and revocations.
Unsentenced receptions to Youth Justice increased 35 per cent in the past 12 months.
However, this remains below the 10-year peak in 2020.
“This initial set of bail statistics collated from multiple agencies is a first step to helping us better understand the impacts of bail or remand decisions on an alleged offender’s pathway through the criminal justice system and further offending,” Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said.
