Media Release: Shoplifting at highest level ever reported by the CSA

The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian recorded crime statistics for the year ending 30 September 2023 today. 

The rate of recorded offences increased, up 4.9% to 7,505.4 per 100,000 Victorians in the last 12 months, while the number of offences increased 7.6% to 510,415. While Property and deception offences had the largest increase in the last 12 months, up 14.3% or 34,983 to 278,803 offences they remain below the record peak of 325,984 in 2016 and below pre-COVID numbers. The main driver of the increases was Theft up 22,683 to 167,099 offences with Steal from a retail store the largest contributor up 7,308 to 26,229 offences in the last 12 months, the highest on record.

In the 12 months to 30 September 2023, the number of criminal incidents increased, up 9.8% or 33,578 to 376,482 incidents. The rate also increased, up 7.0% to 5,536.0 per 100,000 Victorians. Despite recent increases in Property and deception offences these numbers are below the record peak of 266,826 in 2016 and below pre-COVID numbers.

Alleged offender incidents increased 12.9% to 167,830 in the last 12 months, as did the rate up 9.7% to 2,795.9 per 100,000. Theft offences increased by 30.3% or 7,192 to 30,906 alleged offender incidents, this was driven by Steal from a retail store up 39.8% or 3,508 to 12,326 alleged offender incidents.

The victimisation rate increased by 6.7% to 3,208.5 reports per 100,000 Victorians. The number of person-related victim reports was up 9.6% to 218,199 and organisation reports was up 22.7% to 80,296. Property and deception offences drove the increase Person victim reports (up 13.4% to 149,029 person victims). 

Family incidents increased by 1.9% in the last 12 months, with 93,237 incidents recorded across Victoria. The rate of family incidents remained stable, down 0.7% or 1,371.0 incidents per 100,000 Victorians.

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that “while Property and deception offences increased in the last 12 months, for both recorded offences and criminal incidents, these numbers remain below the last recorded peak in 2016, and below pre-pandemic trends observed in 2020.” 

“The acquisitive offence types were the main contributor to increases in overall crime measures with Steal from retail store the top increase, in line with cost of living pressures” Ms Dowsley said.

More detailed information is available on the latest crime data webpage.

For further information please contact: 
Crime Statistics Agency 
Email: info@crimestatistics.vic.gov.au (External link)