In a concerning development, the City of Casey in Melbourne’s outer south-east has been identified as the leading area for school-based violence in Victoria. According to recent data from the Crime Statistics Agency, the region recorded nearly 400 crimes at educational facilities over the year leading up to September 2025.
The alarming figures reveal that the City of Casey, which includes suburbs such as Cranbourne, Narre Warren, and Berwick, experienced the highest number of assaults on school grounds among all local government areas. Specifically, 83 assaults and 61 sexual offences were documented between October 2024 and September 2025. Additionally, the area saw 71 thefts and 69 incidents of burglary.
Comparative Crime Rates Across Melbourne
Other districts also reported significant numbers of school-based crimes. The cities of Wyndham, Hume, Monash, and Melbourne were among the highest, with Melbourne recording 614 offences, the most in any local government area statewide. The majority of these, 380 incidents, were thefts, accompanied by 97 burglaries.
The data, sourced from Victoria Police, includes crimes at schools, university campuses, and other educational facilities. These figures are compiled 18 days post-reporting period and are subject to future revisions.
Expert Insights on Rising School Crime
Swinburne University’s Joel McGregor, a senior lecturer in criminology, expressed that the findings are not unexpected. He attributed the high crime rates in outer suburban areas to rapid population growth, which often leads to a scarcity of youth services.
“There’s often limited transport, or services for young people to access in these areas, and there’s many times more proactive policing and reporting,” McGregor noted.
McGregor also highlighted that the timing of these crimes is not specified in the data, suggesting that many could occur outside school hours.
Police Response and Prevention Strategies
A spokesperson from Victoria Police confirmed that theft, burglaries, and common assaults are the most frequent offences at schools, with most occurring outside school hours. They emphasized that many recorded sex offences involve non-contact incidents, such as the unauthorized sharing of explicit images or videos.
“A common theme is the unauthorised sharing of explicit images or videos,” the spokesperson explained.
In response, police officers have been actively visiting schools to enhance safety, provide legal advice, and develop crime prevention strategies. This includes educating students and staff about the consequences of non-consensual sharing of intimate images and guiding victims on where to seek help.
Challenges of Zero-Tolerance Policies
McGregor criticized zero-tolerance policies, arguing that they are ineffective in addressing youth crime. He warned that such approaches could increase disengagement and disproportionately affect disadvantaged youth, potentially escalating harm.
“Research tells us that these increase disengagement and disproportionately affect disadvantaged young people, which can actually escalate harm rather than reduce it,” McGregor stated.
Instead, McGregor advocated for addressing the underlying causes of crime to achieve lasting solutions. He noted that while disciplinary measures might appear effective, they fail to tackle the root issues driving the problem.
Broader Implications and Future Directions
In Wyndham City, located in Melbourne’s west, 315 crimes were recorded at educational facilities over the year to September. Theft was the most common crime, with 103 offences, followed by 54 assaults, marking the second-highest figure for assaults in the state.
Hume, which includes areas like Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, and Roxburgh Park, reported 226 crimes at schools, with 53 assaults and 19 sex offences. Theft and property damage were also prevalent, with 55 and 26 counts, respectively.
The City of Melbourne, encompassing the CBD, Docklands, Carlton, North Melbourne, and Southbank, reported the highest overall number of school crimes.
As Melbourne’s growth corridor continues to expand, the challenge remains to implement effective strategies that address both the symptoms and causes of school-based crime. Authorities and educators are tasked with finding a balance between enforcement and support to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
