Former NSW police honcho says Victoria’s got a ‘youth problem’

A former NSW police honcho says Victoria clearly has a problem with youth crime.

But he admits he’s surprised to see his state lose the title of Australia’s crime capital.

According to the bureau of statistics, Victoria is now the crime capital of Australia, with Melbourne overtaking Sydney as the national centre for armed robbery and unlawful entries.

3AW Mornings spoke with former NSW assistant commissioner Clive Small about the data on Friday.

“I am very surprised,” he confessed.

“What strikes me about the figures is that crimes that have really jumped are crimes I’d regard as the old, traditional crimes.

“I don’t want to state the obvious, but I think you’ve got a major youth problem down there.”

But he says a heavy-handed approach isn’t the answer.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview