Criminal Diversion: How the 2020 Pandemic Shaped Crime Patterns in Victoria

Focus on Property, Drug, and Family Violence Offenses

Siyu Chen
s4193585

2025-10-28

Compared to 2019, Victoria’s crime rate (excluding COVID-19 offenses) decreased by 4.7% overall in 2020

Property and Deception Offences fell during restrictions, then rebounded upon easing

Drug Offences rose during restrictions, then fell upon easing

Summary

Reference

Crime Statistics Agency. (2021). Police-recorded crime trends in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic: Update to the end of December 2020. https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/research-and-evaluation/publications/police-recorded-crime-trends-in-victoria-during-the-covid-19-1

Crime Statistics Agency. (2021). Recorded offences by LGA year ending December 2020 [Data set]. https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/research-and-evaluation/publications/police-recorded-crime-trends-in-victoria-during-the-covid-19-1

Crime Statistics Agency. (2021). Recorded offences by commit date and offence type year ending December 2020 [Data set]. https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/research-and-evaluation/publications/police-recorded-crime-trends-in-victoria-during-the-covid-19-1