By Tanya Faulkner
Some alarming results from the Knox municipality have arisen with the latest crime statistics released for the year 2023.
Overall crime has increased in the region by 11.8 per cent, jumping from 6,406 incidents in 2022 up to 7,160 in the year ending June 2023.
Of those crimes, a significant amount can be traced back to youth offenders, which continues to be on the rise across Victoria.
In Knox alone for 2023, youth crime has almost doubled, with those in the 10 to 17 year old bracket committing 421 crimes in the year ending June 2023 – up from 298 in 2022.
Across the state, statistics show a significant increase of approximately 26 per cent in the number of violent and serious crimes committed by youth offenders between the ages of 14 to 17.
Of those offences, more than 3750 were assaults, and almost 1500 car thefts.
Additionally, the number of children who were harmed or put in danger also increased over the same timeframe, with 11,461 reports of crimes against the person – including assault, dangerous or negligent behaviour – recorded by Victorians below the age of 18, compared with 10,451 in 2022.
These are the highest number of those types of crimes recorded against children in at least 10 years.
Unfortunatly, however, these figures are less than surprising to most Victorians, following a series of stabbings involving teenagers across the state in 2023, and the alleged kidnapping and armed robbery of a 14-year-old Glen Eira College student.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Rick Nugent said, in the Victoria Police Youth Gang Strategy 2023–2026, the factors that lead to youth gang behaviour and offending are complex, spanning social, economic, and environmental issues.
“Youth gangs are often the result of social marginalisation, fragmented family structures or economic hardship.
“Individuals who are exposed to crime and the criminal justice system early in life are likely to face longer-term developmental, mental, physical and social problems.
“Victoria Police is determined to disrupt groups displaying threatening and violent behaviour to protect the safety of our community.
“At the same time, Victoria Police recognises the complex risk factors that motivate young people to join youth gangs,” he said.
Despite government passing reforms in the state’s upper house to fix Victoria’s contentious bail laws, they now face a new challenge to shape legislation for young offenders amid concerns over youth crime.
Additionally, drug use in Knox also poses an increasing issue to the municipality.
Research has emerged showing that Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs are among the worst for drug related charges, with the Knox municipality in the top five worst regions for arrests in relation to methamphetamine use and possession.
The Knox municipality, including Bayswater and Wantirna, had 240 methamphetamine charges laid in the 12 months leading up to March 2023.
Neighbouring region, the Greater Dandenong area, had the highest numbers in Victoria, with 310 charges laid, and nearby Casey came close with 210.
Overall Knox police laid approximately 877 drug-related charges, with Casey reaching just over 1,000 and Dandenong in the top percentile with 1283 charges in the same timeframe.
Across the state, for the year ending in March 2023, there were over 30,000 drug charges laid in Victoria.
Victoria Police spokesperson said overall drug related offending in Victoria has remained stable year on year, only seeing an overall 0.7 per cent increase in 2023.
“Dealing and trafficking had a 2.4 per cent increase, and use and possession increased by 0.8 percent, however drug cultivation and manufacturing saw an 18 per cent rise in the year 2023.
“These all increased following sustained police enforcement,” they said.
The Victoria Police spokesperson said they will continue to target those who generate the most drug related harm, specifically traffickers and manufacturers.
The latest statistics can be found at crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/
