Andrews fails a generation with no plan to tackle rise in violent youth crime

Crime statistics released today by the independent Crime Statistics Agency has revealed a dramatic spike in criminal offences driven by an all-time high in violent youth offending under the Andrews Labor Government.

A record 7,754 incidents of violent crimes against the person, such as assault and robbery, were committed by individuals aged between 15-19, the largest figure ever recorded by the Crime Statistics Agency as youth offending continues to run rampant in Victoria.

This alarming result comes days after the tragic killing of a 15 year old by a group of 8 to 10 youths carrying knives and baseball bats during a brawl outside the Brimbank Shopping Centre in Deer Park.

Under Andrews, total crime is up 18.2 per cent, meaning an additional 229 criminal offences are committed each and every day – with a number of concerning trends continuing to rise, including;

• aggravated burglary up 70 per cent
• aggravated robbery up 66 per cent
• common assault up 52.6 per cent
• possession of Methylamphetamine (ice) up 140.2 per cent
• prohibited Persons Possessing a Firearm up 35.8 per cent
• resist or hinder officer up 162.1 per cent
• contravene family violence safety notice up 190 per cent.

Daniel Andrews’ failure to address youth offending and maintain a strong frontline policing presence continues to place the safety of the community at unacceptable risk.

With the Andrews Labor Government now under criminal investigation by Victoria Police, IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman, it’s little wonder why crime continues to rise and Victorians have the worst perception of safety in the nation.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:

“If Daniel Andrews can’t even control criminal behaviour in his own party room, how on earth is he going to keep Victorians safe?

“Labor’s failure to address youth offending is driving record levels of crime and breeding the next generation of hardened violent criminals.

“With an additional 229 criminal offences each and every day in Victoria and the revolving door of our justice system under Labor, we need a government that is tough on serious crime and tough on the causes of crime.”

 

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