Burglaries and theft have soared in Victoria, sparked by a rise in youth crime led by what police have dubbed the "Grand Theft Auto generation".

The crime rate spiked 8.1 per cent in Victoria last year, according to the latest crime statistics, driven by double digit percentage increases in theft, drug and weapons offences.

A scene from the video game Grand Theft Auto. Credit:Rockstar

Theft was a major contributor to the increase, with an 11 per cent rise in offences in the year to December 2015. Drug dealing and trafficking was also up 17.7 per cent, while drug use and possession rose 16.5 per cent.

Stealing from a motor vehicle was highlighted as a key factor in the soaring number of thefts, with a 22.6 per cent increase in the past five years. As a result of this, theft of number plates rose 18.2 per cent last year.