Drugs and weapons drive crime rise

Drug, weapons and family offences are driving a rise in crime across Victoria.

The latest crime statistics show there were 483,000 offences recorded across Victoria in the year ending the September 30.

That’s a 6 per cent rise on the same period the year before, or 4 per cent taking into account population growth.

The usual offences are driving the crime rate:

• Family violence incidents up 9.6 per cent
• Drug use and possession up 17 per cent
• Weapons and explosive offences up 16 per cent 

Bribery was the main surprise in the statistics; there was an 800 per cent rise with 45 offences this year compared to just five the year before.

The Melbourne area has the highest crime rate but it is down point 6 per cent.

La Trobe, Horsham, Yarra and Greater Dandenong make up the ‘top’ five areas.