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Home » How is school-based crime comparable across Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia?

How is school-based crime comparable across Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia?

Casey has come out on top for the number of reported crimes occurring on school campuses, according to data from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

When compared to neighbouring LGAs like Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Shire, the City of Casey has recorded nearly 200 more crime incidents in schools.

It’s important to note that Casey is one of the largest municipalities in Victoria — with its population reaching over 350,000 in comparison to Greater Dandenong’s nearly 159,000 and Cardinia Shire’s approximate 130,000.

With over 70,000 students in Casey and over 30,000 in Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Shire.

Based on data obtained by Star News, a total of 330 number of offences were recorded to have occurred on school campuses in the Casey LGA between October 2024 and September 2025.

The figures are drawn from Victoria Police data 18 days after each reporting period, and remain subject to movement between releases.

Out of the 330 reported offences, 216 of these were reported to occur between 8am and 4pm — likely between school hours.

In comparison, school-based crime in Greater Dandenong came out to a grand total of 110, with Cardinia totalling to 123.

Reports of assault and related offences in Casey schools were among the highest with 73 occurring — these include offences involving common assault, assault to emergency services and serious assault.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said that common assaults are minor assaults with no injuries sustained – consistent with a schoolyard push and shove.

They also told Star News that protecting young people from harm is a priority for police.

A substantial number of the reported crimes fall under the property and deception offences, totaling to 149 with 61 cases of theft and 59 offences of burglary — however 82 of these offences occurred outside of school hours.

Greater Dandenong reported 58 offences under this category, while Cardinia Shire reported 53 cases.

Over the same period, 35 sexual offences were reported in Casey schools — one of the highest amongst the three councils, but a reduction from last year’s 46 offences.

Both Greater Dandenong and Cardinia reported a total of six sexual offences.

According to police, the majority of these cases are ‘non-contact’ sexual offences, relating to online harassment through non-consensual distribution of explicit images or videos.

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