Melton and Moorabool have experienced a dramatic spike in crime, according to new data released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
Recorded criminal offences increased by 15.5 per cent across Melton, with 1887 more offences recorded in the 12 months to June 2024 compared to the previous 12 months, for a total of 14,069 criminal offences.
The suburbs of Melton (2117 offences recorded) and Caroline Springs (1479 offences recorded) remain the top two hot spots for crime within the municipality.
Both recorded an increase of 250 and 225 recorded offences respectively, reflecting an alarming uptake.
The only place in the top five suburbs that witnessed a decrease in crime was Melton South – at 1267, it had 107 less offences from last year.
The data revealed that other theft (1614 offences recorded) and stealing from a motor vehicle (1573 offences recorded) were the top two offences in Melton.
Stealing from a motor vehicle jumped by 521 offences.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of regional operations Chris Gilbert said the increase in car theft can in part be attributed to unlocked cars, and urged the community to be as careful as possible.
“Police continue to see far too many properties burgled and cars stolen due to unlocked doors and windows, so we urge the community to take simple measures such as checking your home and car is locked before heading to bed,” he said.
“Victoria’s four fastest growing crimes are all related to opportunistic offending – theft from motor vehicles, retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and the theft of other items such as petrol.”
In Moorabool, 219 more recorded offences from June 2023 to June 2024 meant the increase was 9.2 per cent.
The top offence was breach of family violence order, which jumped by 101 recorded offences in the 12 months to June 2024.
Stealing from a motor vehicle and other theft were second and third highest for offences recorded in Moorabool, reflecting a greater trend across the west.
Across Victoria, there were 552,228 criminal offences recorded in the 12 months to June 2024, an increase of 46,014 offences or 9.1 per cent from the previous 12 months.
