Data from the Crime Statistics Agency has revealed that Ballarat’s overall crime rate has dropped by around six and a half per cent since last years report.

These figures coincide with Ballarat’s figures surrounding crime against property, and drug offences, which have both dropped by around ten per cent.

However there has been a rise in crimes against person within the city, continuing last years trend, showing the highest rate in the past ten years.

This rate saw a substantial increase in 2017, rising by around ten per cent from 2016. 

Throughout Victoria, the number of criminal incidents dropped by five and a half per cent, and sporting the lowest figures since 2015.

Melbourne sports the highest crime rate throughout the state, with almost over three-and-a-half times the amount of recorded offences as Ballarat.

Ballarat however has a much higher crime rate compared to Bendigo and Geelong.

More to come.

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