Crime Surge in Victoria: 13 Percent Increase in 2024

Motor vehicle theft up by 13,924 cases, retail theft rises 36.6 percent, and youth offenders drive a record 23,810 incidents.

Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan speaks during the Victoria State Memorial Service Held For Ron Barassi AM at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia on Nov. 10, 2023. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Victoria is grappling with a significant surge in crime, with 578,762 offences recorded in the year to September 2024—a 13.4 percent increase from the previous year, or an increase of 68,536 cases.

This rise is primarily driven by property crimes, particularly theft from motor vehicles, which reached a record high of 68,042 offences.