Drug offences soared almost 25 per cent in the Geelong police service area, according to the latest Victoria Police crime statistics.
Total crime for the region increased 2.5 per cent with 7696 incidents recorded compared to 7510 for the previous 12 months.
The statistics compare the 12 months to September 2014 with the 12 months to September 2013 and are calculated per 100,000 of population.
Crime against the person decreased 10.4 per cent but crime against property increased 3.6 per cent.
Robbery crimes jumped 22 per cent while police appeals to secure motor vehicles still went unheeded as thefts from cars rose 9.1 per cent and thefts of cars increased 8.4 per cent.
Residential burglaries jumped 7 per cent but business and organisation break-ins dropped 16.7 per cent.
Assaults dropped 9.1 per cent.
The overall recorded crime rate across the state increased 3.3 per cent.
The total number of offences recorded was up by 5.3 per cent, up 22,101 offences to a total of 442,203 offences.
