Crime rates have significantly changed in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic due to continual lockdowns, examination of Crime Statistics Agency’s latest data reveals.
Criminal incidents decreased across the state by 1.8%. There is a noticeable downward turn in the numbers for many crimes.
Theft is one of the criminal offences that has lowered since the beginning of the COVID-19. Burglaries on residential properties, both private and non-private dwellings, decreased by 8331 to twenty-one thousand committed over the financial year period. This is a substantial drop, considering the increase that occurred the year prior.
Stealing from a motor-vehicle on residential property also dramatically decreased, falling twenty-five per cent since 2020. Meanwhile retail store theft, which has been rising over the past five years, dropped by 7197 offences to just over sixteen thousand. This is good news for retail stores, for many have been struggling to stay afloat due to uncertain trading periods caused by the pandemic.
The decrease in certain criminal offences over the financial year can be explained by Victoria’s on-and-off lockdowns. The strictest and longest lockdown last year spanned across almost four months, from July to October. It consisted of hard restrictions including curfew, forcing Victorians to stay home. Not only were their limited movements helping stop the spread of coronavirus, but also limiting their ability to commit crime.
Due to bars and nightclubs remaining closed during lockdowns, offences for being drunk and disorderly in a public place have also lowered. While already on a downward trend, numbers have dropped quicker than predicted, with 26% fewer in the past year.
However, there has been a large spike in miscellaneous crimes. This is the category COVID-related offences fall under. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest data, there were ten thousand and forty-five offenders across Australia in the 2019-20 financial year. Over half of these offenders were Victorians.
Family domestic violence has also risen in the past year, up by 8%. Over sixty-nine thousand women were victims of family domestic violence, and almost twenty-seven thousand men. Families staying home during lockdowns, whether they are working from home or not working due to the pandemic, are a large contributing factor to the spike in family domestic violence.
It is essential to note that it is still lawful to leave your home if you are at risk of suffering from violence, no matter the level of restrictions or lockdown.
Featured image: Empty Bourke Street Mall on Friday October 22, 2020. Usually busy with people shopping, the street is empty as Victorians endure lockdown. PHILLIP MALLIS
