East Gippsland’s crime statistics are down 7.5 per cent compared to the previous year but police concede there remains a problem with youth offending.
There were 3,349 criminal incidents in the region for the year ending March 31, 2023.
Bairnsdale had the highest number of incidents with 1,285 crimes perpetrated.
Lakes Entrance had 585 criminal incidents, Orbost 177, East Bairnsdale 150 and Paynesville 136.
Police data reveals that 1,376 incidents took place at private homes, 376 occurred on the street and 91 offences related to retail businesses.
Sadly, police saw a spike in breaches of family violence orders with 451 particular offences recorded.

IMAGE: East Gippsland’s crime statistics are down 7.5 per cent compared to the previous year but police concede there remains a problem with youth offending.