In September 2025, two boys, aged 12 and 15, were fatally stabbed in Cobblebank, Melbourne. This tragedy has once again raised concerns among Melburnians about rising crime rates and the safety of their families in western Melbourne.
A Young Suburb Facing Rapid Growth
Cobblebank is a relatively young suburb located within the City of Melton local government area. In recent years, a significant number of people have moved to Melton, attracted by lower renting costs compared with inner-city Melbourne. Compared to 10 years ago, the crime rate has increased by 300% in Cobblebank
Cobblebank Crime Statistics Overview (2024–2025)
According to data from Crime Statistics Agency (CSA), Cobblebank’s crime rates per 100,000 residents are as follows:
Theft: 2082 incidents
Assault and related offences: 610 incidents
Burglary: 499 incidents
These figures position Cobblebank’s violent crime rate slightly below the state average of 2,845 incidents per 100,000 residents, indicating a relatively lower incidence of violent offenses in the suburb.
Rising Crime Across the City of Melton
The significant increase in crime is not limited to Cobblebank, it is also a major problem in other suburbs within the City of Melton, including Melton, Melton South and Melton West.
- Melton – Among the highest in the region, with 28,000 offences per 100,000 people, well above the Victorian average.
- Melton South – Overall crime rate around 12,000 offences per 100,000 people, including around 4000 theft offences per 100,000 people.
- Melton West – Reports around 13,700 offences per 100,000 people.
- Cobblebank – 5,600 offences per 100,000 people. There have been some declines in assault and property damage, but burglary/break and enter has increased by 100% compared to one year ago.
Why Crime is Rising in the City of Melton
The higher crime rate in City of Melton can be attributed to several factors. Rapid population growth has outpaced public services, infrastructure, and police resources, creating more opportunities for crime. While the population has surged, job opportunities have not kept up, and cost-of-living pressures have driven some residents toward economically motivated offences such as theft and burglary. In addition, youth crime has been rising, with the number of offenders aged 10–17 increasing from 284 in 2016 to 512 in 2025.