Crime rates increase in Southbank

Total criminal incidents in Southbank were 22 per cent higher in 2024 than the average of the previous nine years, according to data released by Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (CSAV) in March. 

This includes a 26 per cent increase in crimes against the person and a 52 per cent increase in property crime over the nine-year average for postcode 3006. 

Southbank Police Station commander Snr Sgt Alex O’Toole said the increase was likely driven by increased population and higher foot traffic in the Southbank area.

Even though police resourcing is a challenge we continue to ensure the public are kept safe 

In the City of Melbourne municipality, criminal incidents per 100,000 residents increased 10.7 per cent over 2023, however this statistic does not take into account increased visitor numbers. 

The same statistic was three per cent lower than the average of the previous nine years and 12 per cent lower than 2015. This means that population growth has outpaced the increase in crime in the city over the past decade. 

The local increase in crime reflects a wider pattern across the state, as significant increases in theft and robbery drive higher crime rates. Statewide criminal incidents per 100,000 residents increased nine per cent over the nine-year average in 2024. 

The rate of theft offences being recorded per 100,000 Victorians has exceeded historical peaks according to CSAV chief statistician Fiona Dowsley. 

“These increasingly prevalent theft offences can be opportunistic in nature and may be linked to cost-of-living pressures, especially for increases in shoplifting where increases are linked to adult offenders often in their 30s. Younger alleged offenders tend to be involved in theft offences involving motor vehicles,” Ms Dowsley said. 

Southbank Neighbourhood Watch launched in October last year in response to increasing community concern about theft. 

The group organises events such as “Coffee with a Cop”, to facilitate communication between the community and law enforcement. 

“We’re trying to get the community connected because that empowers people,” Southbank Neighbourhood Watch organiser Christopher Milner said. 

Mr Milner said the aim of the group was to connect businesses, community members, police and the council, adding that a more connected community could keep a collective eye out for anything out of the ordinary and communicate with each other. 

“We can’t stop thieves getting into our carparks … but what we can do is build that community participation and connection,” Mr Milner said. “To tackle the crime, it has to be a collaborative effort.”

Total criminal offenses recorded across both the state and the City of Melbourne increased 19 per cent over the nine-year average last year. 

The City of Melbourne continues to have both the highest recorded offences and highest number of offences per 100,000 residents of any LGA in the state. 

Though total criminal incidents in the City of Melbourne increased 10.7 per cent over 2023, that is only a 2.2 per cent increase over the nine-year average. 

Snr Sgt O’Toole emphasised that despite ongoing statewide issues with police staffing numbers, Southbank Police Station continued to do its job of keeping the community safe. 

“If Southbank was a dangerous place to come, we wouldn’t have had an increase in people coming to Southbank.” •