Victoria's crime rate hit a record high in 2025, driven by surging thefts and youth violence, despite new laws.

Crime rates in Victoria, Australia, rose 10.8% from October 2024 to September 2025—the highest since records began in 2004-05—with 6,600 chronic offenders and a record 28,000 vehicle thefts. Theft-related crimes surged, including a tripling of machete incidents, and youth involvement in serious offenses like carjackings and robberies remained high, with 1,176 children arrested 7,075 times. A “brat pack” of youths stormed a Melbourne Woolworths, prompting a police response and calls for parental reporting. Despite new bail laws, a machete ban, and increased remand rates, data shows no immediate decline, though officials cite weak signals of stabilization. In contrast, New South Wales saw declines in seven of 13 major crime categories, with regional youth crime down 16% over two years.