Jump in teens held behind bars due to Vic bail laws
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The number of violent teenagers accused of serious crimes who have been refused bail has almost doubled since the Allan government introduced its tough new bail laws.
New data reveals that as of the start of this month, there were 92 young people on remand in Youth Justice in Victoria compared to the corresponding period last year when there were 46 – a massive 100 per cent increase.
The figures – released by the Department of Justice and Community Safety – also show that the number of adults on remand from the start of June was also up, with 2589 refused bail – a jump from 1980 in the same period in 2024.
The increase follows the Herald Sun's Suburbs Under Siege campaign which led to the Victorian government introducing the 'toughest bail laws in the country'.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the increase in people on remand proved the bail reforms were working.
'We have brought in tough new bail laws which are seeing an increase in serious alleged repeat offenders being remanded,' she said on Wednesday.
'These are the toughest bail laws in the country because we have listened to victims and the community.'
Ms Kilkenny said there were also more changes ahead, with new bail legislation to be introduced to parliament later this year.
The positive statistics come just days after the state government introduced new 'post and boast' laws.
The new legislation will make it an offence for bragging about crimes online, resulting in offenders being kept in jail for longer.
The spike in remands follows months of alarming crime rates in Victoria showing they had reached the highest on record, with police laying the blame for the growing crime wave on a group of hardcore teenage offenders.
It's been previously revealed that a gang of about 100 youth offenders are responsible for at least 30 crimes each in the past year – carrying out a total of more than 3000 separate reported offences.
The bail reforms passed in March made Victorian judges and magistrates put community safety first by beefing up sentences for repeat offenders who break bail.
The changes also included the reintroduction of 'committing an indictable offence while on bail'. Another offence of 'breaching bail conditions' will also come into play.
Both offences will add an extra three months of jail to any other sentence imposed for any crime committed.
It can also be revealed that the state has begun rolling out its new electronic-monitoring program.
Four youth offenders currently have monitors as part of two-year trial to ensure young people comply with their bail conditions.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Crime hits record high as youth violence soars
Criminal incidents have soared to a record high in one state, with youth over-represented in violent attacks and cost-of-living linked crimes the fastest growing type of offence. Offences in Victoria soared by 15.2 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March, when adjusted for population. The were 627,268 offences recorded, while criminal incidents jumped to 474,927, up 18.1 per cent, the highest number since the Crime Statistics Agency started recording data two decades ago. There was also a record number of family violence incidents, which were up 10.7 per cent to 106,247. Child crime was at its highest level since 1993, when electronic records started, with 3,300 of what Victoria Police described as the "worst youth offenders" arrested. Those aged from 10-17 represented just 13.1 per cent of all offenders, but police said they were over-represented in violent and serious crimes, including robberies and aggravated burglaries. Property crimes were the fastest growing type of offence, which the force attributed to "difficult economic times". They include motor vehicle theft (up 47.1 per cent), theft from a motor vehicle (up 39.3 per cent), retail theft (up 38.6 per cent) and other theft (up 20.5 per cent). Arrests jumped 23 per cent in the last decade, while some 25,917 people were arrested a combined 75,968 times in the last 12 months. The data released on Thursday was recorded before the Victorian government introduced harsher bail laws. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said justice department data showed the number of youths being held on remand had doubled since that legislation came into effect in late March. Adults being held on remand have also jumped by 31 per cent. Mr Carbines said soaring crime figures were being driven by repeat offenders, but the results were unacceptable. "We'll start to see those tougher bail laws have an effect on some of our crime statistics and crime indicators in future quarters," he said. Another round of bail reforms are expected to hit the floor of parliament in late July after the winter break. Victoria Police acting Deputy Commissioner David Clayton said there was no doubt crime was higher than what the community and police would like it to be. "We know the community has strong concerns around young offenders breaking into homes to steal cars, which are then driven at high speeds on our roads," he said. "This offending has led to catastrophic consequences in the past year, with stolen cars involved in more than 760 crashes and six people losing their lives. He said knife crime was another area of focus, with some 44 blades removed from the streets each day. The release of the figures came a day after shoppers were forced to take cover at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre as a Toyota Landcruiser four-wheel drive was seen being driven through the centre of the complex. No one was physically injured in the incident, which Victoria Police alleged occurred as the driver tried to evade officers in the stolen vehicle. A 27-year-old East Melbourne man was arrested early on Thursday. Criminal incidents have soared to a record high in one state, with youth over-represented in violent attacks and cost-of-living linked crimes the fastest growing type of offence. Offences in Victoria soared by 15.2 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March, when adjusted for population. The were 627,268 offences recorded, while criminal incidents jumped to 474,927, up 18.1 per cent, the highest number since the Crime Statistics Agency started recording data two decades ago. There was also a record number of family violence incidents, which were up 10.7 per cent to 106,247. Child crime was at its highest level since 1993, when electronic records started, with 3,300 of what Victoria Police described as the "worst youth offenders" arrested. Those aged from 10-17 represented just 13.1 per cent of all offenders, but police said they were over-represented in violent and serious crimes, including robberies and aggravated burglaries. Property crimes were the fastest growing type of offence, which the force attributed to "difficult economic times". They include motor vehicle theft (up 47.1 per cent), theft from a motor vehicle (up 39.3 per cent), retail theft (up 38.6 per cent) and other theft (up 20.5 per cent). Arrests jumped 23 per cent in the last decade, while some 25,917 people were arrested a combined 75,968 times in the last 12 months. The data released on Thursday was recorded before the Victorian government introduced harsher bail laws. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said justice department data showed the number of youths being held on remand had doubled since that legislation came into effect in late March. Adults being held on remand have also jumped by 31 per cent. Mr Carbines said soaring crime figures were being driven by repeat offenders, but the results were unacceptable. "We'll start to see those tougher bail laws have an effect on some of our crime statistics and crime indicators in future quarters," he said. Another round of bail reforms are expected to hit the floor of parliament in late July after the winter break. Victoria Police acting Deputy Commissioner David Clayton said there was no doubt crime was higher than what the community and police would like it to be. "We know the community has strong concerns around young offenders breaking into homes to steal cars, which are then driven at high speeds on our roads," he said. "This offending has led to catastrophic consequences in the past year, with stolen cars involved in more than 760 crashes and six people losing their lives. He said knife crime was another area of focus, with some 44 blades removed from the streets each day. The release of the figures came a day after shoppers were forced to take cover at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre as a Toyota Landcruiser four-wheel drive was seen being driven through the centre of the complex. No one was physically injured in the incident, which Victoria Police alleged occurred as the driver tried to evade officers in the stolen vehicle. A 27-year-old East Melbourne man was arrested early on Thursday. Criminal incidents have soared to a record high in one state, with youth over-represented in violent attacks and cost-of-living linked crimes the fastest growing type of offence. Offences in Victoria soared by 15.2 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March, when adjusted for population. The were 627,268 offences recorded, while criminal incidents jumped to 474,927, up 18.1 per cent, the highest number since the Crime Statistics Agency started recording data two decades ago. There was also a record number of family violence incidents, which were up 10.7 per cent to 106,247. Child crime was at its highest level since 1993, when electronic records started, with 3,300 of what Victoria Police described as the "worst youth offenders" arrested. Those aged from 10-17 represented just 13.1 per cent of all offenders, but police said they were over-represented in violent and serious crimes, including robberies and aggravated burglaries. Property crimes were the fastest growing type of offence, which the force attributed to "difficult economic times". They include motor vehicle theft (up 47.1 per cent), theft from a motor vehicle (up 39.3 per cent), retail theft (up 38.6 per cent) and other theft (up 20.5 per cent). Arrests jumped 23 per cent in the last decade, while some 25,917 people were arrested a combined 75,968 times in the last 12 months. The data released on Thursday was recorded before the Victorian government introduced harsher bail laws. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said justice department data showed the number of youths being held on remand had doubled since that legislation came into effect in late March. Adults being held on remand have also jumped by 31 per cent. Mr Carbines said soaring crime figures were being driven by repeat offenders, but the results were unacceptable. "We'll start to see those tougher bail laws have an effect on some of our crime statistics and crime indicators in future quarters," he said. Another round of bail reforms are expected to hit the floor of parliament in late July after the winter break. Victoria Police acting Deputy Commissioner David Clayton said there was no doubt crime was higher than what the community and police would like it to be. "We know the community has strong concerns around young offenders breaking into homes to steal cars, which are then driven at high speeds on our roads," he said. "This offending has led to catastrophic consequences in the past year, with stolen cars involved in more than 760 crashes and six people losing their lives. He said knife crime was another area of focus, with some 44 blades removed from the streets each day. The release of the figures came a day after shoppers were forced to take cover at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre as a Toyota Landcruiser four-wheel drive was seen being driven through the centre of the complex. No one was physically injured in the incident, which Victoria Police alleged occurred as the driver tried to evade officers in the stolen vehicle. A 27-year-old East Melbourne man was arrested early on Thursday. Criminal incidents have soared to a record high in one state, with youth over-represented in violent attacks and cost-of-living linked crimes the fastest growing type of offence. Offences in Victoria soared by 15.2 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March, when adjusted for population. The were 627,268 offences recorded, while criminal incidents jumped to 474,927, up 18.1 per cent, the highest number since the Crime Statistics Agency started recording data two decades ago. There was also a record number of family violence incidents, which were up 10.7 per cent to 106,247. Child crime was at its highest level since 1993, when electronic records started, with 3,300 of what Victoria Police described as the "worst youth offenders" arrested. Those aged from 10-17 represented just 13.1 per cent of all offenders, but police said they were over-represented in violent and serious crimes, including robberies and aggravated burglaries. Property crimes were the fastest growing type of offence, which the force attributed to "difficult economic times". They include motor vehicle theft (up 47.1 per cent), theft from a motor vehicle (up 39.3 per cent), retail theft (up 38.6 per cent) and other theft (up 20.5 per cent). Arrests jumped 23 per cent in the last decade, while some 25,917 people were arrested a combined 75,968 times in the last 12 months. The data released on Thursday was recorded before the Victorian government introduced harsher bail laws. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said justice department data showed the number of youths being held on remand had doubled since that legislation came into effect in late March. Adults being held on remand have also jumped by 31 per cent. Mr Carbines said soaring crime figures were being driven by repeat offenders, but the results were unacceptable. "We'll start to see those tougher bail laws have an effect on some of our crime statistics and crime indicators in future quarters," he said. Another round of bail reforms are expected to hit the floor of parliament in late July after the winter break. Victoria Police acting Deputy Commissioner David Clayton said there was no doubt crime was higher than what the community and police would like it to be. "We know the community has strong concerns around young offenders breaking into homes to steal cars, which are then driven at high speeds on our roads," he said. "This offending has led to catastrophic consequences in the past year, with stolen cars involved in more than 760 crashes and six people losing their lives. He said knife crime was another area of focus, with some 44 blades removed from the streets each day. The release of the figures came a day after shoppers were forced to take cover at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre as a Toyota Landcruiser four-wheel drive was seen being driven through the centre of the complex. No one was physically injured in the incident, which Victoria Police alleged occurred as the driver tried to evade officers in the stolen vehicle. A 27-year-old East Melbourne man was arrested early on Thursday.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Crime hits record high as youth violence soars
Criminal incidents have soared to a record high in one state, with youth over-represented in violent attacks and cost-of-living linked crimes the fastest growing type of offence. Offences in Victoria soared by 15.2 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March, when adjusted for population. The were 627,268 offences recorded, while criminal incidents jumped to 474,927, up 18.1 per cent, the highest number since the Crime Statistics Agency started recording data two decades ago. There was also a record number of family violence incidents, which were up 10.7 per cent to 106,247. Child crime was at its highest level since 1993, when electronic records started, with 3,300 of what Victoria Police described as the "worst youth offenders" arrested. Those aged from 10-17 represented just 13.1 per cent of all offenders, but police said they were over-represented in violent and serious crimes, including robberies and aggravated burglaries. Property crimes were the fastest growing type of offence, which the force attributed to "difficult economic times". They include motor vehicle theft (up 47.1 per cent), theft from a motor vehicle (up 39.3 per cent), retail theft (up 38.6 per cent) and other theft (up 20.5 per cent). Arrests jumped 23 per cent in the last decade, while some 25,917 people were arrested a combined 75,968 times in the last 12 months. The data released on Thursday was recorded before the Victorian government introduced harsher bail laws. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said justice department data showed the number of youths being held on remand had doubled since that legislation came into effect in late March. Adults being held on remand have also jumped by 31 per cent. Mr Carbines said soaring crime figures were being driven by repeat offenders, but the results were unacceptable. "We'll start to see those tougher bail laws have an effect on some of our crime statistics and crime indicators in future quarters," he said. Another round of bail reforms are expected to hit the floor of parliament in late July after the winter break. Victoria Police acting Deputy Commissioner David Clayton said there was no doubt crime was higher than what the community and police would like it to be. "We know the community has strong concerns around young offenders breaking into homes to steal cars, which are then driven at high speeds on our roads," he said. "This offending has led to catastrophic consequences in the past year, with stolen cars involved in more than 760 crashes and six people losing their lives. He said knife crime was another area of focus, with some 44 blades removed from the streets each day. The release of the figures came a day after shoppers were forced to take cover at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre as a Toyota Landcruiser four-wheel drive was seen being driven through the centre of the complex. No one was physically injured in the incident, which Victoria Police alleged occurred as the driver tried to evade officers in the stolen vehicle. A 27-year-old East Melbourne man was arrested early on Thursday.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Police make arrest after allegedly stolen car ploughed through Northland Shopping Centre
A man has been arrested after an allegedly stolen SUV ploughed through a Melbourne shopping centre on Wednesday. Chaos broke out as the white Toyota LandCruiser ploughed through Northland Shopping Centre on Wednesday just after 4pm, sparking a major emergency response. Police allege the LandCruiser was trying to evade officers at the time, after they earlier tried to block the car at a park. Footage circulated widely online shows the car – believed to be driven by a man – speeding through the shopping centre, smashing through the doors as shoppers huddled inside stores. 'Thankfully, no one was struck by the car and there are no reported injuries,' police said in a statement. Police later discovered the vehicle dumped on Beavers Road in Northcote about 5.10pm the same day. They allege it was stolen from Ivanhoe East on June 2, using an 'electronic key reprogramming tool'. The shopping centre incident sparked an overnight manhunt for anyone involved. Police arrested a 27-year-old East Melbourne man at a Hoddle St address at about 8.30am on Thursday. 'An electronic key reprogramming tool was seized during the arrest,' police said. The man will be interviewed by detectives. No charges have been laid. Authorities are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident. Witnesses have recalled their terror during the shopping centre rampage, saying stores forced their shutters closed as the car sped through. Merchandiser Tanya Nava told Today she was working in Kmart when the gates were pulled down. 'Everyone was just in a panic,' she said. 'A young girl runs up to me and she goes, 'Oh, there's a car in the shopping centre'. And we just all went 'oh my god', and then everyone was just freaking out.' Staff put the customers to the back of the shop as the incident unfolded outside, the sound of the commotion echoing through the centre. 'It was like we heard gunshots, but it was just this car ramming through the shopping centre,' she said. On Wednesday afternoon, a witness who was 'locked in a store' during the incident warned others of the speeding vehicle. 'If (you're) planning on attending Northland this afternoon don't,' she wrote. 'A car smashed through a door and went right through the shopping centre.' Another woman recalled seeing the car 'quickly' speeding through the centre. 'I saw the car drive through and lucky no one was hit from this exit,' she wrote online. The horror incident comes three weeks after the centre was plunged into lockdown due to what police allege was a fight between machete-wielding teens. Northland Shopping Centre confirmed it would continue to operate as normal on Thursday. 'Following yesterday's incident, we confirm that our stores are open and trading as usual today,' a statement read. 'We continue to work with the Victorian Police, with increased security and police presence in centre over the coming days.' The centre also offered support to anyone affected by the incident. 'We understand the incident that took place at our centre was distressing, and we want to reassure our community that we are taking this matter seriously,' the statement read. Shopping centre management said it would have extra team members and an increased security presence around the centre.
