Youth crime has spiked in Greater Geelong, as the the state continues to grapple with a crime crisis.
Fresh data released by the Crime Statistics Agency this week shows crimes committed by youths aged between 10-17-years-old rose by almost 37 percent last year.
There were 1,208 offences recorded by those in that age bracket, up from 882 in 2023.
Overall, the total crime rate increased by 11 per cent last year, with close to 2-thousand more incidents recorded across 2024.
The spike comes amid the Allan government’s scramble to introduce tougher bail laws through state parliament, while also cracking down on knife crime.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill, said the laws can’t come quick enough.
“We completely understand the community concerns around young offenders breaking into homes, stealing cars, and putting other people at risk on our roads,” he said.
“Be assured that police are arresting the state’s worst young offenders again and again – youth gang members, child car thieves and underage burglars were arrested 3,400 times last year as part of Operation Alliance and Operation Trinity.
“As a society, we simply cannot tolerate this level of offending.
“The time has come for Victorians to feel safe in their homes again and for young offenders to be held accountable.
“Victoria Police have worked with Government around the critical need to strengthen bail laws.
“We welcome last week’s announcement and have every confidence that the changes will lead to a reduction in youth offending and crimes such as aggravated burglaries.”
