The rate of offences per 100,000 individuals has reached its peak since 2016, signaling a concerning trend in public safety. A significant contributor to this rise is a notable 14.2 percent increase in theft incidents, which translates to nearly 6,000 more thefts reported over the 12 months leading up to December 31 of last year.
In Melbourne, the overall crime rate climbed by 2.1 percent, reaching 17,671.9 incidents per 100,000 people. Notably, the Latrobe and Port Phillip regions both experienced a 5.9 percent increase in crime rates. This surge occurs despite the efforts of the Allan government to curb violence through measures such as a machete amnesty and ban, as well as stricter bail laws and harsher penalties for young offenders involved in violent crimes.
A staggering 17,400 machetes were confiscated by police, marking a record number of seizures. The release of this data coincides with a turbulent time for the premier, who is currently facing rumors of a potential leadership challenge. However, she has brushed off these speculations, describing them as mere “anonymous speculation.”
These rises come despite the Allan government implementing a controversial machete amnesty and ban, as well as strengthening their bail laws and criminal penalties for young offenders committing violent crimes.
The data shows 17,400 machetes were seized by police, a record number.
The data dump came the same day the embattled premier was forced to deny speculation she will face a leadership challenge, dismissing the rumours 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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