Victorian Nationals: Darren Chester MP - Police numbers down under Jacinta Allan

Victoria's crime crisis continues to worsen under Labor as new data confirms there are now 367.7 fewer full time equivalent (FTE) Victoria Police officers than when Jacinta Allan became Premier.

New Victoria Police employee numbers by location data has confirmed 15,601.75 FTE officers as of December 2025, down from 15,969.45 in September 2023.

Over this same period, Crime Statistics Agency data shows the number of offences records increased more than 15% in the Latrobe local government area - 38% of which remain unsolved.

The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the result was 41 police stations across Victoria shut or operating on reduced hours due to staff shortages, including in Moe and Churchill.

"With fewer cops on the beat, dozens of stations operating on reduced hours and a $50 million reduction in Victoria Police's budget, Labor's crime crisis is only set to worsen," Mr Cameron said.

"Police stations in Moe and Churchill are operating on reduced hours, and the result is crime going unreported or unsolved, and ultimately community safety is being eroded.

"Local businesses are still being held to ransom, and theft from retail stores across the Valley has skyrocketed a whopping 65 per cent in the past year alone.

"Despite criminal offending being at an all-time high, Victoria has fewer police now than six years ago - Labor's priorities are all wrong.

"Only a Nationals and Liberals government will end Labor's crime crisis by investing in crime prevention and ensuring consequences match community expectations.

"Victoria Police officers have the Coalition's full support and it's our top priority to ensure they're properly resourced to do their job."

Caption: Victoria's crime crisis continues to worsen under Labor as new data confirms there are now 367.7 fewer full time equivalent (FTE) Victoria Police officers than when Jacinta Allan became Premier.

To arrange an interview with Martin Cameron, contact Kate Withers on 5133 9088