General News
14 January, 2025
Latest data shows significant increase in reported crime in the Central Goldfields
The Central Goldfields has seen a significant increase in reported offending across the shire over the last year, with incidents of theft the highest in almost a decade.
In data recently released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA), there were 1091 total criminal incidents and 1719 total offences recorded for the year ending September 2024, marking a 36 percent and 50.3 percent increase respectively.
Put simply, the difference between criminal incidents and recorded offences is that criminal incidents can include multiple offences whereas recorded offences are any criminal act the Victorian legal system could impose a penalty on.
Compared to the state rate, per 100,000 population, the Central Goldfields is 40.9 percent higher for offences recorded and 25.2 percent higher for total criminal incidents.
While this increase is concerning to local police, according to Senior Sergeant David Flood, the increase is partly due to higher reporting of criminal incidents in Western Region and the Central Goldfields.
“The increases in criminal incidents within Goldfields have been consistently present since late 2023. Reported crime in early 2023 was significantly lower than the five year average hence the percentage change we are now seeing is quite significant,” he said.
According to Sen Sgt Flood, as a part of the Victoria Police staff allocation model, the Maryborough Police Station has seen an “increase in front line strength” which will continue over the next month.
“This will allow for a strengthening in our high [visibility] patrols that will no doubt have a positive impact on the recorded crime increases,” he said.
“You have likely already observed a return of foot patrols in the Maryborough CBD and members diligently following up reported incidents to ensure offenders are held to account.”
For both criminal incidents and offences homes are the most common location type seeing an increase of over one hundred recorded in each category compared to the previous year.
“Many crimes occur at residential premises and often the parties are known to each other. We see this predominantly in family violence, theft and assault incidents,” he said.
“With thefts from properties, we have seen that power tools are highly sought after items. These items are easily found in unlocked sheds or garages, carried away and sold by offenders, especially with the change to lighter battery operated tools.”
Criminal incidents of theft are the highest they’ve been since 2015 with 262 recorded compared to 150 in 2023. Sen Sgt Flood said that thefts from shops has been a concern of Victoria Police for many years but this year has shown how extensive they can be.
“There is no doubt that the current cost of living issues that all communities are faced with has a part to play,” he said.
“We are heavily engaged with retailers and supporting their efforts to decrease this issue.
“Ultimately as shop theft increases so does the price of the items we purchase.”
While the Central Goldfields saw a 2.5 percent increase in total family incidents compared to last year the shire remains significantly higher than the Victorian rate.
The Central Goldfields are 59.3 percent higher than the Victorian rate for total family incidents, per 100,000 population.
The Central Goldfields also saw a small increase of criminal incidents (from 107 in 2023 to 125) where breaching a family violence order was the primary offence.
The more significant increase was in offences recorded where breaching a family violence order went from 185 in 2023 to 282. In response to these statistics Sen Sgt Flood said Victoria Police are committed to holding offenders to account.
“We are utilising a streamlined approach to serving family violence orders and following up on breaches of these orders. When people breach a family violence order the investigation conducted will often identify other offences which further contributes to increases in our reported crime,” he said.
In mid-February there will be Neighbourhood Policing Forums which will give community members the opportunity to speak with police members across divisions.
“We are genuinely wanting to hear what the community has to say. We are part of this community and are also impacted by problems that arise,” Sen Sgt Flood said.
“Through building partnerships and understanding the extent of any issues within the community we will be better prepared to police the problems, reduce reported crime and increase community safety.”