Lakes Entrance continues to record property crime as the dominant offence category, according to the latest Crime Statistics Agency data, with theft and related offences driving much of the town’s policing demand.
While Victoria-wide figures show overall crime has risen again in 2025, Lakes Entrance reflects a broader Gippsland pattern where property and deception offences account for the majority of recorded incidents.
The coastal town’s seasonal population fluctuations are also understood to contribute to periodic increases in theft and antisocial behaviour, particularly during peak tourism periods when visitor numbers place additional pressure on public spaces, accommodation and retail precincts.
Family violence and breaches of court and police orders remain a consistent feature of the local crime profile, aligning with broader regional trends across East Gippsland.
Motor vehicle-related theft and theft from motor vehicles also continue to be key contributors to recorded offending, reflecting statewide patterns linked to opportunistic crime and, in some cases, the use of electronic methods to bypass vehicle security systems.
Despite fluctuations in individual offence categories, long-term data indicates
property-related crime remains the most significant driver of recorded incidents in Lakes Entrance, with policing demand closely tied to seasonal activity and
population movement.
