The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) has today released updated research on crime trends in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic, with data to end of September 2020.
A total of 41,513 offences were recorded in July 2020, 38,401 in August 2020, and 40,037 in September 2020, reflecting decreases of 12.3%, 16.8%, and 12.2% compared with the same months in 2019.
The research found that between April and August 2020, the number of property offences recorded by police was lower than would have been expected based on historical trends. In August, compared with forecasts the number of offences recorded was 47% lower for steal from a retail store, 39% lower for steal from a motor vehicle and 45% lower for non-aggravated burglary.
On average over the period between April and August, the number of drug possession offences was 19% higher than forecast per month and the number of drug trafficking offences was 15% higher per month.
The number of family violence incidents recorded by police for those in current partner relationships was higher than forecast in June and August, while the number for those in former partner relationships was lower than forecast in April, May, July and September.
Since March, 32,713 offences have been recorded by police for breaches of COVID-19 Chief Health Officer Directions. These were recorded for 23,550 individuals, 36% of whom were first-time offenders and 64% having previously been recorded for other types of criminal offences.
The paper Police-recorded crime trends in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic: an update to September 2020 is available here.