The overall crime rate in Benalla Rural City has dropped by 6.4 per cent in the past 12 months.
This trend can be found in LGAs across the state, with figures falling in most metropolitan and regional areas.
The rate of family violence incidents per capita in the Benalla local government area has also dropped — by 6.7 per cent.
At times in the past decade Benalla has topped that list statewide.
However, while the LGA now has the ninth highest rate, per capita, of family violence incidents in Victoria, there were still 363 incidents recorded in the past 12 months.
A figure many will agree is 363 too many.
It is also still well above the state average per capita — 2500 incidents per 100,000 population in Benalla Rural City compared to 1373 incidents per 100,000 population in Victoria.
The LGA has seen the total amount of criminal incidents drop from 1002 in 2021 to 938 in 2022.
On a per capita basis, Benalla Rural City has the second highest crime rate when compared to neighbouring LGAs.
- Greater Shepparon — 8265 incidents per 100,000 population;
- Benalla Rural City — 6480 incidents per 100,000 population;
- Wangaratta Rural City — 5451 incidents per 100,000 population;
- Strathbogie Shire — 3521 incidents per 100,000 population; and
- Mansfield Shire — 3018 incidents per 100,000 population.
The top five townships with the highest rate of crime within Benalla Rural City were Benalla, Baddaginnie, Swanpool, Goorambat and Tatong.
As might have been expected, Benalla, with a larger population, had the highest number of criminal incidents.
The number of criminal incidents across those areas are:
- Benalla — 846 criminal incidents this year, a decrease of 62 since last year;
- Baddaginnie — 18 criminal incidents this year, a decrease of eight since last year;
- Swanpool — eight criminal incidents this year, an increase of five since last year;
- Goorambat — eight criminal incidents this year, an increase of three since last year; and
- Tatong — seven criminal incidents this year, an increase of four since last year.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said continued low crime rates were a positive sign as we moved further away from the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
“Which we know impacted the ability for criminals to offend,” Deputy Commissioner Nugent said.
“In perhaps the most pleasing sign, we saw the lowest number of victims of crime in Victoria since the introduction of the Law Enforcement Assistance Program in 1993.
“Our members pull on the blue uniform every day to keep the community safe and will continue to do everything possible to prevent innocent people from becoming a victim of crime.
“There are plenty of encouraging signs — the lowest number of home burglaries since 1993, least robberies since 2005, lowest number of cars stolen since 2011, decreasing family violence rates, less assaults, and reduced numbers of firearm and weapon offences.
“Our focus will remain steadfast on ensuring the community not is only safe but feels safe.
“Victoria Police will retain an intense focus on those causing the most harm — from Taskforce VIPER hitting organised crime outfits where it hurts, to Operation Alliance dismantling youth gangs, to Operation Achilles targeting dangerous driving on our roads, we have never been better placed to curb crime.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Model will also ensure local police are tackling the local issues the community care most about, resulting in more visible police, targeted police interventions to fix issues, and open communication with community members.”
The most recorded crime in Benalla in the past 12 months has been breaching of family violence orders: 119 incidents. This represents a decrease of five since last year.
The next four most recorded criminal incidents in Benalla Rural City in the past 12 months are:
- Criminal damage — 78, a decrease of 26 since 2021;
- Theft — 62, a decrease of 18 since 2021;
- Breaching bail conditions — 56, an increase of 37 since 2021; and
- Common assault — 59, a decrease of four since 2021.
Benalla Rural City’s rate of criminal offences, per capita, is higher than the Victorian average:
- Benalla Rural City — 6480 per 100,000 population; and
- Victoria — 5177 per 100,000 of population.
The LGA has not been below the state average since 2015.
Of the 938 criminal incidents recorded in Benalla Rural City in the past 12 months 31.7 per cent remain unsolved.
Find out more about the latest crime statistics across Victoria at www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/