Youth Crime in Greater Bendigo: A Growing Concern

My Councillors Report in the growing crime that we are facing in Bendigo and Victoria as a whole.

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This is from around December 2023 - Over the past year, young lawbreakers in Greater Bendigo recorded 651 offences, placing the area among the top ten most dangerous in the state for youth crime according to the Herald Sun. The offences included 61 serious assaults, 48 aggravated burglaries, 31 car thefts, and nine incidents involving weapons or explosives.

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A significant youth crime wave has affected Victoria, with offences committed by children as young as 10 increasing by over 40%. In the 12 months leading to April, kids aged 10 to 14 were responsible for at least 6,418 offences across the state, nearly 45% more than the previous year. Burglaries by this age group spiked by almost 87%.

The most common age group responsible for aggravated home burglaries was 15 to 17-year-olds, a trend that Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent found alarming. Around 90% of aggravated burglary offenders are aged 13 to 19. Mr. Nugent highlighted a shift in the motivation for these crimes, which now often aim to steal keys for top-end cars, for joyriding.

Local incidents underscore the escalating youth crime problem. A Bendigo teenager was attacked on a bus, an incident captured on video and shared on social media. The victim's father reported that his daughter suffered significant injuries and now fears further attacks due to the attackers' apparent lack of accountability.

This is from around March 2024. Crime data reflects a concerning rise in youth offending in Bendigo, with 646 young offenders recorded in 2023, an increase of 174 from the previous year. Aggravated burglaries and car thefts have particularly risen, with Bendigo residents expressing fear for their safety. A community meeting in Strathfieldsaye saw around 200 attendees discussing ways to improve neighbourhood safety.

Inspector Tim Tucker of Bendigo Police highlighted that the primary goal of these burglaries is car theft, with offenders typically fleeing if disturbed. Dangerous driving incidents have also tripled since 2019, correlating with the increase in youth crime. Bendigo recorded 8034 crimes in 2023, ranking 24th out of Victoria's 80 local government areas. The most common crimes included vehicle theft, family violence order breaches, criminal damage, and bail condition breaches.

In a recent incident, a 14-year-old boy led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car, with five other teenagers on board. The chase ended with the boy ramming two highway patrol vehicles, leading to the arrest and charging of all six youths involved.

The rise in youth crime in Greater Bendigo and across Victoria highlights a pressing need for effective interventions to address and mitigate this troubling trend.

Currently, the council only meets with Bendigo Police to address immediate concerns as they arise. I propose that the council, including councillors, meet with Bendigo Police on a quarterly basis to discuss these issues in a more preventative manner.