The sharp increase has prompted growing concern among residents and local authorities, who are now looking at ways to improve community safety.
In the past 12 months, Greater Shepparton recorded 7102 criminal incidents, 10,613 offences, 3926 alleged offender incidents, 3249 person victim reports and 2506 family incidents — figures described as an “alarming rise” by state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
However, the Nationals MP has further broken down the data across all six local government areas of the Euroa electorate, highlighting what she says is a broader pattern of decline in regional community safety.
“These figures are a clear sign that Labor has completely lost control of law and order in our regional communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Crime is up, offenders are emboldened and family violence continues to worsen — yet the Allan Government refuses to act.
“How many more reports will it take before we see a genuine response? The government’s failure to deliver stronger bail laws, properly resource police, or swiftly ban dangerous weapons like machetes has left our communities exposed.”
Strathbogie recorded the sharpest increase in offender incidents, rising by 69.2 per cent, alongside a 27.4 per cent jump in total criminal incidents and a 21.3 per cent rise in family violence reports.
Mitchell also saw a notable spike, with criminal incidents up 26.5 per cent, offender incidents up 45.1 per cent and family violence increasing by 13.5 per cent.
In Benalla, total criminal incidents rose by 14.6 per cent, while both offender incidents and family violence incidents increased by 21.1 per cent.
Campaspe experienced a more modest rise, with total criminal incidents up 10.4 per cent, offender incidents up 13.1 per cent and a 2.8 per cent rise in family violence cases.
Greater Bendigo saw a 15.8 per cent rise in total incidents, with offender incidents up 29 per cent and family violence up 10.1 per cent.
Ms Cleeland said the statistics confirmed what locals were already seeing every day.
“We’re hearing about stolen cars in Violet Town, farm break-ins around Benalla and Colbinabbin, robberies in Murchison and growing reports of property damage,” Ms Cleeland said.
“These aren’t isolated incidents — they’re signs of a system that isn’t working and a government that refuses to listen.
“Families and small businesses deserve to feel safe, but instead we have a justice system that prioritises offenders over victims and leaves regional communities behind.
“The premier and her ministers can’t keep dodging responsibility. These figures are proof that Labor’s soft-on-crime approach is failing — and regional Victorians are the ones paying the price.”
