The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions drove a huge increase in one type of crime this year - public health and safety offences.
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There were 258 such offences in Greater Bendigo in the year to September, up from just four the previous year - an increase in the rate of these offences from 3.4 per 100,000 people to 215 per 100,000.
Greater Bendigo had one of the lower rates of public health and safety offences in central Victoria.
The highest rate was in Gannawarra Shire, which had a rate of 621.9 per 100,000 people, with 65 offences.
There was no data for 2019.
Loddon Shire also recorded a higher rate of public health and safety breaches, at 387.2 per 100,000 people.
Macedon Ranges experienced one of the most dramatic jumps, going from a rate of two per 100,000 to more than 354 offences per 100,000 people.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said 5.9 per cent of all offences across the state in the year to September were COVID-related.
There were more than 32,750 such offences in Victoria.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
