Criminal incidents have spiked across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston, with a combined total of more than 24,000 offences recorded in the past 12 months—raising urgent concerns about community safety in both local government areas.
According to the Crime Statistics Agency, the Mornington Peninsula recorded a 24.0% increase in total criminal incidents, while Frankston saw a 20.0% rise compared to the previous year. These figures reflect a sharp and widespread escalation in theft, property offences, and breaches of family violence orders across both regions.
Mornington Peninsula: +24% in Total Criminal Incidents
In the Mornington Peninsula LGA, the number of criminal incidents jumped from 7,688 in 2024 to 9,535 in 2025.
The top offence types were:
- Steal from a motor vehicle: 1,370 offences
- Other theft: 903 offences
- Residential burglary (non-aggravated): 786 offences
- Breach of family violence order: 761 offences
- Steal from a retail store: 711 offences
Mornington, Rosebud, and Hastings reported the highest numbers of incidents, collectively accounting for more than 4,200 criminal events. Residential homes were the most common crime locations (2,854), followed by street/footpath offences (1,105) and driveways (717).
Only 29.8% of cases led to charges being laid, with more than half (54.7%) remaining unsolved.
Frankston: +20% in Total Criminal Incidents
Frankston recorded 13,402 criminal incidents, up from 11,171 in 2024, placing it among the worst-hit municipalities in Victoria.
The top offence categories included:
- Steal from a motor vehicle: 1,924 offences
- Criminal damage: 1,154 offences
- Other theft: 1,078 offences
- Breach of family violence order: 1,041 offences
- Retail theft: 968 offences
Frankston, Seaford, and Carrum Downs topped the list for criminal activity, with the majority of incidents occurring at private residences (3,595), followed by footpaths (1,949) and courts (850).
Despite the high incident rate, only 37.6% of cases resulted in charges, with 48.3% remaining unsolved.
Theft and Family Violence Breaches Driving the Spike
In both municipalities, theft-related crimes—including vehicle break-ins, shoplifting, and home burglaries—were the most common offences. Breaches of family violence orders also remain prevalent, reflecting ongoing challenges in protecting at-risk individuals.
The spike in unsolved cases across both regions suggests growing pressure on local police resources and response capabilities.
The full breakdown of local crime data is available through the Crime Statistics Agency’s public dashboards:
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