Theft offences are increasing across the Bellarine according to the latest Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data.
Statistics for the year ending on March 31 were released by the CSA on June 19, with Greater Geelong’s total offences, which incorporates the Bellarine, up by 9.8 per cent to 25,356 offences recorded this year.
Victoria Police Western Region Division One Superintendent Michael Reid said there has been a “rise in overall thefts”.
“Theft of motor vehicles have increased, with organised offending using key reprogramming devices to steal cars,” he said.
“Theft from motor vehicles has increased; a lot of this offending is occurring at night with unlocked vehicles or registration plates being removed.
“Theft within our larger shopping complexes has increased but we have been working with our larger locations in detecting more of this offending than ever before.”
Theft offences were at their highest in Portarlington, with 80 offences recorded in 2025 compared with 42 offences the previous year.
Leopold recorded its highest theft numbers since 2018, as numbers increased by 57 offences from 97 recorded in 2024 to 154 this year.
Despite theft numbers increasing across many local government areas, Ocean Grove had a decrease in offences, with 34 fewer thefts recorded this year, with 127, compared to 161 last year.
Mr Reid said police would continue to work alongside councils, the CCTV network and licensed venues to reduce theft and assault numbers across the region.
“Assaults have increased over the past year, but we are seeing this trending down and serious assault within the Geelong CBD is at its lowest in over a decade,” he said.
“Police (are) increasing intercepts across the region to reduce offending and detect other crimes that are being committed. We know our offenders usually travel in stolen vehicles to commit other crimes.
“Victoria Police have arrested more offenders this year than ever before in its history of Victoria. Our members have been doing a tremendous job in identifying offenders and bringing before the courts.”
