Victoria Police has today published its latest crime statistics.
The statistics compare the 12 months to September 2012 with the 12 months to September 2011.
The overall recorded crime rate across the state has increased by 5.9 per cent, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population which is standard across Australia. The total number of offences recorded is up by 7.5 per cent (up 27,516 offences to a total of 395,406 offences).
Crime against the person has increased by 11.3 per cent per 100,000 population. This is largely due to an increase in the rate of assaults, up 14.2 per cent.
Crime against property has increased by 1.7 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population, mainly due to an increase in theft of motor vehicles, up 7.6 per cent, and theft from motor vehicles, up 4.7%.
Drug offences have increased by 20.7 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population.
Other crimes such as justice procedure offences and behaviour in public offences have increased by 18.3 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said family violence was still a driver of increasing crime statistics, with the rate of family violence-related crime increasing by 37 per cent.
DC Nolan also attributed the increase in statistics to more possession and use of drugs across the state, causing crimes against the person and property crime to rise too – a trend seen over the past 12 months.
The local area commanders in charge of each police service area have provided a written commentary accompanying the statistics. To view them visit My Place at www.vicpolicenews.com.au/myplace