However in real terms the LGA has the lowest per capita rate of criminal incidents in the past decade.
Total criminal incidents in the LGA declined by 25.7 per cent since the same time last year.
Of the top five principal offence subgroups, four saw declines.
Sadly the one that rose was sexual offences, which were up from 86 last year to 131.
Recorded offences that declined include:
- Breaching family violence orders: Down from 333 to 286;
- Criminal damage: Down from 288 to 284;
- Common assault: Down from 188 to 178; and
- Thefts: Down from 197 to 166.
The majority of criminal incidents occurred in Seymour (627), followed by Wallan (614), Kilmore (373) and Broadford (188) — although all of these figures are down on the previous year.
Fifth on that list was Beveridge (174), which saw an increase in criminal incidents compared to the previous year (161).
Incidents of family violence were also down (14.3 per cent). However, Mitchell Shire’s rate of family violence (1986.3 incidents per 100,000 residents) is higher than the state average (1360.4 per 100,000 residents).
These figures come from the Crime Statistics Agency, which released Victorian crime statistics for the year ending March 31, 2022 on Thursday, June 16.
Statewide the rate of recorded offences decreased 11.9 per cent to 7048.2 per 100,000 Victorians, as did the total number of offences, down 11.5 per cent to 470,405.
This decrease was driven by a reduction in Breach of Chief Health Officer (CHO) directions related to the COVID-19 pandemic (down 72.2 per cent) and property and deception offences (down six per cent).
In the 12 months to March 31 the criminal incident statewide rate decreased 11.5 per cent to 5142.2 per 100,000 Victorians as did the number of incidents, down 11.2 per cent to 343,194 incidents.
This decrease was also driven by reductions in Breach of CHO directions related to the COVID-19 pandemic (down 73.2 per cent) and property and deception offences (down 2.8 per cent).
Alleged offender incidents decreased 18.3 per cent in the past 12 months.
This decrease was driven by Breach of CHO directions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and property and deception offences (down 10.1 per cent).
The victimisation rate decreased by 2.5 per cent to 2926.3 reports per 100,000 Victorians, as did the number of person-related victim reports (down 2.1 per cent) and organisation reports (down 3.9 per cent).
These decreases for person-related victim reports were driven by acquisitive crime types (down 2.5 per cent).
CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said changes to COVID-19 responses had resulted in fewer Breaches of CHO directions offences.
“(This has driven) key crime measures down in the last 12 months,” Ms Dowsley said.
“Decreases in acquisitive crime such as thefts and deception have also contributed to decreases in key crime measures, following trends seen throughout the pandemic period.”
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of family violence call 000. You can contact on 1800 RESPECT 24 hours a day on 1800 737 732.
Find out more about this year’s Victorian crime stats by visiting www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au.