New crime statistics have been released which shows an increase in youth crime, but an argument has been made for why people should compare the stats to pre-COVID times.

Deputy commissioner of Regional Operations at Victoria Police, Neil Paterson, says people should keep in mind the impact COVID has had on crime figures.

“Crime was decreased because of improved guardianship, people working from home and the restrictions that were in place,” he told Neil Mitchell.

Press PLAY to hear the stats compared to pre-COVID times