CRIME across the Mornington Peninsula has continued to rise, with newly released figures from the Crime Statistics Agency revealing criminal offending has reached a record high.
There were 12,483 criminal offences recorded in the Mornington Peninsula LGA in the year ending September 2025, up from 12,375 offences in the previous year, an increase of one percent.
Mornington was the peninsula suburb most affected by crime, followed closely by Rosebud and Hastings.
The data shows crime rose across most offence categories, with stealing from a motor vehicle remaining one of the most common offences, increasing by 12 percent to 1591.
Motor vehicle thefts went up 36 percent, with 673 incidents recorded. Serious assaults also rose, with total serious assaults increasing by 16 percent to 356 incidents.
There were 219 residential aggravated burglaries, 757 residential non-aggravated burglaries, and 818 thefts from retail stores recorded.
Youth (ages 10-17) alleged incidents fell slightly, down 4 percent to 549, and prohibited weapons offences also decreased 4 percent to 160.
Data also shows that 5502 offences, 44 percent of all offences recorded on the peninsula, remained unsolved.
In neighbouring Frankston, total offences went up by 6 percent from 16,944 to 18,030. The area saw a 28 percent increase in family violence serious assault, and a 27 percent increase in theft from a motor vehicle.
Statewide, criminal offences have continued to rise, with Victoria recording 130,000 more offences year-on-year since Premier Jacinta Allan took office. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also showed Victoria recorded the highest number of victims nationally for unlawful entry with intent, robbery and motor vehicle theft during 2024.
Opposition leader Jess Wilson said the rising figures are impacting too many Victorians every day.
“Premier Allan’s legacy on crime is clear: more offences, more victims, fewer police and a community living in fear,” Wilson said.
Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections Brad Battin said the rate of offending is “intolerable and unacceptable”.
Member for Mornington Chris Crewther said the figures reflect growing concern in the community on the peninsula.
“I hear constantly from residents in Mornington electorate that they no longer feel safe in their homes and in our community,” Crewther said.
“This data today confirms what we are all feeling – that we are less safe than we have ever been.”
First published in the Mornington News – 23 December 2025
