New data has revealed the extent to which the staffing priorities of the Allan Government are contributing to the rise in crime and how it continues to put the safety of Victorians at risk.
The Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Servicesfor the 2022-23 financial year has revealed that operational sworn Victoria Police staff per 100,000 people decreased from 242 in 2021-22 to 235 in 2022-23, a fall of 2.9 per cent – while at the same time, unsworn, non-operational staff increased by 23.5 per cent.
In addition to fewer Police on the beat to solve crimes and protect safety, the proportion of Victorians totally satisfied with police services has decreased by 6.4 per cent since 2020-21 to 73.4 per cent in 2022-23.
Furthermore, the most recent Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data for the year ending 30 September 2023, released in December, revealed a 33 per cent increase in residential aggravated burglaries over the past 12 months, with motor vehicle thefts up by 25 per cent.
Overall theft offences were up 22,683 to 167,099 offences, with theft from retail store offences increasing by more than 38 per cent or 7,308 offences to 26,229 in the last 12 months, the highest level on record.
Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said: “Incidents of crime in Victoria including violent home invasions are occurring at record rates, and Labor has no strategy. Cutting frontline police and increasing unsworn office staff at record levels will not make our streets safer.
“The Allan Labor Government have been warned of falling police numbers, and they have failed to address the fact there remains over 800 vacancies forcing police stations to close and police cars to remain idle.”
