THE LATEST figures from the Crime Statistics Agency were released last week, painting a grim picture with crime rates spiralling out of control and rising across South Gippsland by 11.2%. 
In the twelve months to the end of March 2025, South Gippsland recorded 1,609 criminal offences, an increase of 162 offences or 11.2% on the previous year. 
Compared with the state criminal incident rate of 6692.2 per 100,000 population, South Gippsland’s rate was lower at 5145.7 per 100,000 for the year ending March 2025. 
However, family violence rates in South Gippsland were 30.7% higher than the state average.
There were 612 family violence incidents recorded over the last year to end of March, an increase of 14% on the previous year. 
“These statistics are devastating and reflect a deeply disturbing trend that simply cannot be allowed to continue unchecked,” said The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien.
The top five criminal offences for South Gippsland all increased over the year to March. 
There was a 100% increase in stealing from a motor vehicle with 134 incidences, a 43% increase in breach of family violence order with 221 incidences, a 7.6% increase in criminal damage with 169 incidences, non-aggravated burglary rose by 11.2% with 79 incidences, and other theft increased by 3.9% with 133 incidences recorded. 
Mr. O’Brien said these figures confirm what locals already know – crime is getting worse by the day.
“These are not just small increases – this is a full-blown crime crisis,” Mr. O’Brien said.
“Our region is being hit hard, and the State Government has contributed to this crisis through huge numbers of unfilled police vacancies, closing and understaffing of police stations, and weakening of bail laws.”
In 40.5% of cases, police charges were laid, for 19.2% of cases no charges were laid and 40.3% of cases remained unsolved.
Mr. O’Brien said while local police are doing an outstanding job under pressure, they are fighting a losing battle without proper support.
“I want to commend our local police – they are working incredibly hard and continue to make arrests, but the reality is they’re up against a government that has abandoned them.”
Towns across South Gippsland all saw a rise in crime for the past year with Foster seeing the highest increase.
Incidents in Leongatha jumped to 480 from 410 (+11.2%), Korumburra increased to 433 from 390 (+11%), Foster rose to 105 from 69 (+52.2%), Nyora 90 from 78 (+15.4%), Mirboo North 65 from 63 (+3.2%). 
The top five locations offences were committed were in houses (522), on the street (168), in court (65) which saw a decrease of 22%, driveway/carport (58) and service station (57). 
Organisations in South Gippsland who reported a criminal offence rose by 12.4% from the previous year. 
Of all offenders recorded, 659 of these were male and 188 were female.
Victoria Police stated child crime (10-17) remains at the highest levels since electronic records commenced in 1993 and in South Gippsland, 149 alleged offenders were aged between 10 – 17, comprising 17.6% of the total offenders recorded for the area.