Northcote sits in the Darebin council area, which records 8,083 offences per 100,000 residents, well above the Victorian average. Most home break-ins are opportunistic, so visible attention and a fast alert to the people who can help matter more than any sticker on a window.
Is Northcote safe?
By the numbers, crime in Darebin, the council area covering Northcote, is higher than most of Victoria: 8,083 offences per 100,000 residents against a state average of 6,174, ranked 18 of 80 council areas. Recorded incidents in Northcote itself were down 10% last year (1,685 to 1,524). The largest share of what is recorded in Northcote is property and deception offences (82% of incidents). Compare it with a neighbouring suburb using the suburb safety check.
Northcote crime, 2017–2026
Recorded incidents in Northcote are 18% lower than a decade ago (1,863 in the year to March 2017 vs 1,524 now). Counts are total recorded criminal incidents in Northcote 3070, year ending March. Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria.
What kind of crime happens in Northcote?
| Offence category | Incidents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Property and deception offences | 1,253 | 82% |
| Crimes against the person | 126 | 8% |
| Justice procedures offences | 85 | 6% |
| Drug offences | 33 | 2% |
| Public order and security offences | 27 | 2% |
Most recorded offences, year to March 2026
| Offence | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| Steal from a motor vehicle | 333 | |
| Other theft | 176 | |
| Motor vehicle theft | 145 | |
| Steal from a retail store | 129 | |
| Criminal damage | 111 | |
| Residential non-aggravated burglary | 79 |
Recent reports near Northcote
No recent news incidents are logged for Northcote right now. We track reports across Victoria on the live Crime Watch.
Put Northcote 3070 on the patrol map
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How Vigil Guard protects a home in Northcote
Panic
Hold the button and it alerts your four contacts and your street with your live location. You call 000 yourself in a life-threatening emergency.
Lookout
One tap flags suspicious behaviour to your street. Three confirmed flags trigger a cluster alert. Behaviour only, never appearance.
Patrol
A licensed operator runs a logged slow-pass dusk to dawn once a street fills.Begins once licensed
Nearby areas in Darebin
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Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, Year ending March 2026. Council-area rates are per 100,000 residents. This report is for general information and is not a substitute for emergency services. In an emergency, call 000.