New data released by the Crime Statistics Agency for the year ending September 2025 reveals a significant upward trend across all major criminal categories in East Gippsland, with alleged offender incidents seeing a staggering double-digit increase.
The region recorded a 7.9 per cent jump in total criminal incidents, rising from 4012 in the previous year to 4328. Total recorded offences also climbed by 6.4 per cent, reaching 6145.
Perhaps most concerning for local law enforcement is a 17 per cent surge in alleged offender incidents, signalling a sharp rise in the number of individuals being processed by police.
BAIRNSDALE REMAINS REGION’S CRIME HOTSPOT
The data confirms that urban centres continue to drive the majority of the region’s police activity. Bairnsdale remains the primary area of concern, recording 1641 criminal incidents and 2300 total offences. Lakes Entrance followed as the second-highest area, while Orbost saw a notable increase in activity, placing it third in the top five suburbs.
Residential safety is at the forefront of the report, as houses were identified as the most common location for crime by a wide margin, accounting for more than 2650 recorded offences.
THE CRISIS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
The most prevalent crime in the region involves the safety of the home. Breach of family violence orders was the number one principal offence subgroup, with 1204 recorded instances — more than double the next highest category (criminal damage).
This trend is mirrored in the dedicated family incidents report, which saw a 10.9 per cent increase. The human toll of these statistics is stark: women continue to be disproportionately affected, representing 1771 of the affected family members (victims) compared to 667 men. Conversely, men represented the vast majority of other parties (offenders) in these disputes.
PROFILE OF THE OFFENDER AND THE VICTIM
The demographics of crime in East Gippsland show a distinct gender and age divide:
– Offenders: Men accounted for the overwhelming majority of alleged offender incidents (1996 vs 654 for women). Interestingly, the 45 and older age bracket was the most active group among offenders.
– Victims: Victim reports rose by 6.1 per cent. While victims are spread across all age groups, those aged 55 and older reported the highest number of incidents. Assault and related offences were the primary drivers for victim reports, followed by theft and property damage.
POLICE OUTCOMES AND CHALLENGES
Despite the rise in crime, police have maintained a steady “clearance rate”. Of the 4328 criminal incidents, charges were laid in 38.3 per cent of cases. However, one-third of all incidents (33.4 per cent) remain unsolved, a figure consistent with the 27 per cent unsolved rate for total recorded offences.
Outside of family violence, police are grappling with a rise in property-related crimes. Criminal damage, stealing from a retail store, and general theft all ranked in the top five offence subgroups, suggesting that economic factors may be contributing to the local crime wave.
