General News
24 October, 2025
Crime stats a growing concern
COMMUNITIES across the south-west are grappling with “a staggering rise in crime” according to local MP, Roma Britnell.
“The latest crime statistics released by the Crime Statistics Agency paint a damning picture of the state government’s failure to protect regional Victorians,” Ms Britnell said.
“We are seeing a rise in violent crime, theft and unsolved offences.
“In Moyne, residential aggravated burglary has jumped 167 per cent, serious assaults are up 42 per cent and yet again 30 per cent of crimes remain unsolved, leaving victims without justice and communities without peace of mind.”
Warrnambool itself has not been spared.
According to Ms Britnell, the latest figures showed total offences rose by 452, with 896 unsolved cases.
Retail theft surged by 60 per cent and serious assaults increased by 43 per cent.
“Families are frightened in their own homes, with 891 criminal incidents occurring in residential settings,” she said.
“These figures confirm what I’ve been hearing from residents, shopkeepers, and frontline police officers for months - crime is out of control, and the state government is doing nothing to stop it.
“Police are burnt out, under-resourced, and unsupported. Offenders know they’ll be released almost immediately. There is no deterrent, no justice, and no leadership.”
Ms Britnell also claimed that despite this crisis, the state government failed to allocate any additional funding to the Police Academy in the 2025–26 State Budget.
“With over 1,100 police vacancies and more than 800 officers on WorkCover, the system is broken and Labor is pretending there’s no problem. Victims deserve justice, but instead Labor cut $50 million from police, shut stations and left 2,000 jobs unfilled.
“Police tell me they’re doing the best they can and I believe them, because they’re not just officers, they’re our neighbours.”
Despite having their operating budgets slashed, some local stations are resorting to doing their own gardening just to maintain basic standards.
“It’s a stark reminder of how stretched our frontline services have become under this government,” Ms Britnell said.
“We’ve lived in our communities confident of our safety for as long as I can remember; many of us not even locking our doors.
“We know we can return to safety, and turn this situation around. We just need a supportive government to show leadership to strengthen laws.”
