VIC: Kennett says Vic crime rate lower than other states

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-1999
VIC: Kennett says Vic crime rate lower than other states

Victorian premier JEFF KENNETT has rejected criticism over a finding that crime in Victoria
is up four per cent in one year, saying the state has the lowest crime rate in the nation.

Mr KENNETT says crime in the state is 23 per cent below the national average.

His comment follows revelations that overall crime in Victoria is up almost four per cent
last financial year -- despite more offenders being arrested and more crimes being solved.

Victoria Police annual crime figures show the total number of offences rose 3.6 per cent to
almost 436,000 from the previous year.

But over the same period the figures show Victoria Police processed an extra 21,100 alleged
offenders and cleared 40.2 per cent of total crime.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner NEIL COMRIE says the overall crime figures are less than
the 1990/91 peak of more than 440,000 - meaning the crime rate has changed little for almost a
decade.

AAP pjb/ra/wz/jn

KEYWORD: POLICE (MELBOURNE)

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