“Despite the alarming rise in crime across our communities, we are seeing pay disputes drag on and police not being given the support they need to keep our towns safe,” Ms Cleeland said.
“For months, the Allan Labor Government has mismanaged negotiations and failed to act in good faith to secure a fair pay deal for frontline Victoria Police officers.
“Not only that, but 46 per cent has been cut from the community crime prevention budget and this government closed the crime prevention unit at the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
“Labor’s continual under-resourcing of Victoria Police must stop to ensure rising crime is addressed as a matter of priority.”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said any victim of crime was one too many.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by any criminal behaviour,” the spokesperson said.
“Our record $4.5 billion police investment, including the 3600 new police officers, is giving Victoria Police the tools and resources they need to keep Victorians safe.
“This investment is continuing to support crime prevention initiatives with 57 projects currently under way — with the Youth Crime Prevention Program seeing a 29 per cent reduction in offending and a 24 per cent reduction in the seriousness of offending for young people completing the program.”
The spokesperson also told The Telegraph that the assertion that crime prevention programs had been cut by 46 per cent was wrong.
They said the crime prevention investment was embedded in the work delivered under many portfolios including police, corrections and youth justice, but also in wrap-around programs including education, mental health services and social and affordable housing.
They also said the recently passed Youth Justice Act would hold serious repeat young offenders to account and includes a trial of electronic monitoring as well as intensive bail supervision.
Mitchell Shire witnessed a 27.5 per cent spike in criminal incidents last year, with Seymour and Wallan hit particularly hard.
Seymour’s criminal incidents rose from 793 recorded in 2023 to 968 recorded in 2024.
Offences recorded went up by 24.7 per cent to go with a 25.2 per cent rise in alleged offender incidents.
Family violence incidents surged by 21.5 per cent, reaching levels 50 per cent above the state average.
In Strathbogie Shire, total criminal incidents rose by 23 per cent, offences recorded increased by 14.8 per cent, and offender incidents went up 16.5 per cent.
Benalla’s crime incident statistic spiked from 1010 incidents to 1091, an eight per cent increase from last year’s numbers.
Benalla recorded 946 crimes in 2024, with most incidents occurring in homes, and with the principal offence sub group of ‘breached family violence order’.
“Instead of repeatedly denying the crime problem in Victoria, this government should be doing more to protect our communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Labor can’t manage community safety and Victorians are paying the price.”
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