The number of offenses per 100,000 people has soared to its highest since 2016.

This surge is largely attributed to a significant 14.2 percent increase in theft-related incidents. Over the past year, nearly 6,000 additional theft cases were reported up to December 31.

Melbourne’s crime rate climbed by 2.1 percent, reaching 17,671.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. The Latrobe and Port Phillip areas were notably affected, each experiencing a 5.9 percent uptick.

These increases occur despite the Allan government’s efforts to curb crime through measures like a controversial machete amnesty and ban, alongside tougher bail laws and stricter penalties for violent crimes committed by young offenders.

In a record-setting move, police confiscated 17,400 machetes, according to the latest figures.

The release of this data coincided with the embattled premier addressing rumors about a potential leadership challenge, which she dismissed as “anonymous speculation.”

Media reports have suggested a plan to oust Allan as Labor leader and Premier could be in the making.

However, Allan denied the rumours, insisting she had the support of the party room and questioning the source of the rumours.

“We are a strong team, we are a united team,” she said this morning.

“This is anonymous gossip, it’s from a few scallywags.”

Despite this, she also sent a pointed message, saying such concerns and rumours would not help Labor’s campaign.

“Now is not the time for cuts and division, now is the time to be focused,” she added.

No one has officially been labelled as wanting to lead the charge of a leadership change at such a crucial moment, with Labor MPs entering parliament today and posing a united front, backing Allan’s leadership.

Gabrielle Williams, the Transport Minister from the left faction, and Ben Carroll, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education from the right faction, both dismissed such speculation when quizzed by media this morning.

“It’s idle gossip… I pay no attention to it,” Williams said at a press conference this morning.

Carroll was stopped in the halls of Parliament House, where he delivered a similar response.

“No, I want to be the education minister,” he replied when asked if he wanted to be Premier.

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