CRIMINAL offences in Loddon Shire communities have jumped almost 25 per cent.
Crime Statistic Authority data released last week shows 525 offences were recorded in the 12 months to March.
The number of offences hit 525 compared with 422 the previous year and puts the crime rate it at highest level since 2021.
Recorded offences rose from 55 to 96 in Inglewood, increased 11 to 40 in Pyramid Hill, up marginally in Bridgewater and jumping a third to 32 in Korong Vale.
There was an increase in recorded theft, family violence order breaches, burglaries and theft from motor vehicles. Front yard incidents lifted from six to 21.
Criminal incidents in Loddon towns lifted 11.9 per cent, from 345 to 346. There were decreases in Wedderburn and Inglewood while the number of incidents increased in other towns.
More than half the incidents remain unsolved while charges have been laid in 33.4 per cent of incidents.
Across Victoria, the rate of recorded offences were up 15.2 per cent, while the number of offences increased 17.1 per cent.
Property and deception offences had the largest increase in the last 12 months, up 23.8 per cent or 71,290 to 370,587 offences. The main driver of the increase was theft offences, up 58,570 to 240,210 offences due to steal from a motor vehicle offences, which were up 23,259 to 82,414 offences in the last 12 months.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said: “Theft offences have continued to rise sharply, with nearly a quarter of a million offences recorded in the last year. Increases were largest for thefts from motor vehicles and retail stores, with many of these offences linked to repeat offending.
“Family incidents increased over the last 12 months also, reaching 106,247.”