MEMBER for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland says more must be done to address crime in regional Victoria after recent statistics showed another large spike in criminal behaviour across the region.
Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data for the year ending September 2024 has revealed major increases in criminal behaviour across all six of the Euroa electorate’s council areas.
With the number of total criminal incidents, offences recorded, and incidents of family violence increasing, Ms Cleeland said the community’s safety was being compromised.
“The Allan Labor Government has failed to provide enough support to our police, and now we are dealing with the consequences,” she said.
“Labor’s continual under-resourcing of Victoria Police must stop to ensure rising crime is addressed as a matter of priority.”
Ms Cleeland also said many regional Victorians were feeling unsafe due to the government’s continued under-resourcing of Victoria Police, which has led to 1000 police vacancies, 900 officers off-duty due to illness and injury, and the closure of 43 police stations.
“While entire stations are walking off the job as they seek a fairer deal, crime is up across the board,” she said.
“It is simply unacceptable that a lack of resourcing and support by this government can be allowed to impact the safety of our towns and residents who are trying to do the right thing.”
The data highlighted that Mitchell Shire had seen an alarming 31.9 per cent increase in total criminal incidents, 851 more incidents recorded than the previous year, and more crime recorded in towns such as Seymour, Kilmore, and Broadford.
Offences recorded in the region were also far higher this year, with a 26.7 per cent increase, while Family Violence incidents spiked 23.6 per cent.
