A new study from Neighbourhood Watch and RACV revealed Yarra Ranges residents to be among the most likely to leave their doors unlocked.
In the Yarra Ranges, 47 per cent of residents kept their doors and windows locked when they were at home, which was noticeable lower than other metropolitan LGAs.
The Victorian Community Safety Perception report analysed 8021 responses to Neighbourhood Watch Victoria’s How Safe Is My House quiz collected between 2021 and 2024 – the first Victorian-wide review focused not just on crime data, but on how safe people feel in their homes and what protective actions they take.
Yarra Ranges residents also felt quite safe, with an average feel safe rating of 7.91.
Neighbourhood Watch chief executive officer Bambi Gordon said this research provides invaluable insights into how Victorians actually feel about their home safety, not just what the statistics tell us.
“The data shows that while crime statistics are important, people’s perceptions of safety are shaped by many factors including their environment, community connections, and personal experiences,” Ms Gordon said.
The study found that safety perceptions are influenced by more than just crime rates or security infrastructure. Cultural background, socioeconomic factors, and community engagement all play significant roles in how safe people feel at home.
“Understanding how residents perceive their safety is crucial for developing effective community safety strategies,” Ms Gordon added.
“This partnership with RACV allows us to bridge the gap between objective safety data and the lived experiences of Victorians.”
