Victoria's overall crime rate has risen again, with an almost 20 per cent increase in robberies, new figures show.

The number of offences jumped 4 per cent in the year to March, or 2.5 per cent when taking into account population growth.

Crime figures 2016-17 Offence Change in 12 months Robbery Up 19.6 per cent Theft Up 9.3 per cent Assault and related offences Up 7.9 per cent Dangerous, negligent acts endangering people Up 20.2 per cent Justice procedures offences Up 20 per cent Transport regulation offences Up 58.4 per cent Drug dealing and trafficking Down 11.4 per cent Source: Crime Statistics Agency of Victoria

Part of the increase in robberies was due to jewellery store and mobile phone thefts, the state's Crime Statistics Agency said.

The number of homicides jumped significantly over the period partly because of January's Bourke Street rampage, in which six people died.

The State Government is under increasing pressure on law and order after promising to crackdown on crime through the introduction of tougher laws and putting more police on the beat.

Police Minister Lisa Neville, however, said the overall trend was down when compared to previous years as there was a 10.2 per cent increase in the number of offences in 2015-16.

"The last two quarters we've had either zero growth or a negative growth of 5.4 [per cent] so we are heading in the right direction," she said.

"This is not about spin, this is the figures provided by the Crime Statistics Agency.

"I'm pretty confident that based on intelligence that we will be in a position of zero growth in the next crime stats, if not negative.

"You'll probably hold that against me if that doesn't happen, but I'm pretty confident talking to local police."

Family violence also remains a serious issue, accounting for one in six offences.

'We shouldn't accept this as the norm'

Ms Neville said youth offending declined by about 18 per cent, but a small yet significant group of offenders remained.

Changes in areas with most crime Local government area Offences per 100,000 people Trend Melbourne 25,325.9 Down 8 per cent Latrobe 19,631.8 Up 7 per cent Yarra 14,527.3 Down 1.8 per cent Ararat 13,662.3 Up 11.6 per cent Greater Shepparton 13,150.4 Up 6.3 per cent Source: Crime Statistics Agency of Victoria

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the figures showed the state's crime wave was continuing.

"We shouldn't accept this as the norm, we shouldn't accept spin and government lines as the answer to a crime wave," he said.

"Each one of those figures represents someone whose family has been affected or hurt."

Mr Guy said it showed the legal system was in need of further reform.

Earlier this year, the Opposition unveiled a proposal to introduce mandatory sentences for adult offenders who have previously been convicted of one of 11 violent offences, including rape, murder and aggravated burglary.

"These figures once again reinforce the point that this state needs a regime of mandatory sentencing," he said.