ALPINE Shire’s criminal incident rate has bucked a statewide surge in offending despite a rise in local family violence related crimes.
For the year to March, the shire recorded 331 criminal incidents - one less incident than this time last year - according to the Crime Statistics Agency data.
Breach of family violence orders rose to the most common offence after recording 13 more incidents than last year while there was also an increase in sexual offences and family violence related assault offences.
All three offence categories were among the top five most common offences for the shire, which brought 36 more incidents of family violence, or a 29.5 per cent increase.
The Alpine Shire family violence incident rate based on population now sits at its highest since records began in 2021, despite sitting below the state average.
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Criminal damage and theft offences did not grow on last year’s figures, with 10 less offences of criminal damage observed by police.
Baaed on population, Alpine Shire’s crime rate still sits at one of the top three lowest recorded in Victoria.
Acting Inspector in the Wangaratta Police Service Area, Kym Clark, said local police were pleased to see the historically low crime rate within the area maintained.
"Local police will continue to focus on preventing the crimes causing the most community harm, such as family violence, home burglaries and car thefts," she said.
"Our focus in the area at the moment is heavily centred on ensuring those travelling to and from the snow get to their destination safely, as this is often a risky time on local roads."
Across the North East, crime in Wodonga jumped by 13 per cent due to a rise in thefts from motor vehicle, criminal damage and breaches of family violence orders.
Benalla also saw their crime surge 14.6 per cent on the back of an increase in breaches of family violence orders and drug possession offences.
Crime rates remained steady in surrounding shires including Indigo and Moira, all recording within 10 incidents more or less of 2024’s figures.
Statewide Victoria Police recorded its most arrests on record as criminal offences surged 17.1 per cent.
This was on the back of property crimes related to theft, including theft from motor vehicles, retail stores and motor vehicle theft.
Acting Deputy Commissioner David Clayton said there was no doubt crime was higher than the community and police would like.
“That’s why every police officer is working tirelessly to reduce crime and hold criminals accountable – as they did in these twelve months with a record 75,968 arrests,” he said.
