Burglaries And Break-And-Enters In Victoria Fall as Overall Crime Rate Goes Up

Criminal offences in Victoria have risen by more than two per cent, new figures show - but some types of offending are down. 

The latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency, published on Thursday, show the number of recorded offences increased by 2.6 per cent to 515,682 in the last 12 months to March.

Criminal incidents also jumped by 2 per cent. However, when taking into account population, the agency says it's the lowest criminal incident rate since March 2015.

Assaults, drugs use and possession as well as weapons and explosives offences all rose in the last 12 months.

In contrast, burglaries and break and enters dropped by 13.5 per cent, from 45,128 to 39,019.

Alleged offender numbers have continued to increase in the last decade and are the highest since July 2004, chief statistician Fiona Dowlsey said.

The rate of victim reporting decreased by 1.6 per cent, which is the lowest rate since July 2004.

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