Recently released crime statistics show there was a 17.4 per cent increase in criminal incidents from March 2019 to March 2020.

The most common offences were stealing from a vehicle, criminal damage, theft, breaching family violence orders, and burglaries on homes.

The statistics show Wodonga by far recorded the most offences, followed by West Wodonga, Baranduda, Barnawartha North and Killara.

Increases were recorded throughout much of the North East, including in the Wangaratta, Alpine, Indigo, Moira and Benalla shires, but a decline was recorded in Towong Shire.

Wodonga Inspector Paul Hargreaves said many offences were crimes of opportunity.

"We don't shy away from the fact there have been increases," he said.

"We always like to see things go down.

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"The positive side of this is that police are being very active in the community.

"Offenders are being processed and we're in general making the area safe.

"We're always encouraging people to come forward and report more crime to us."

Inspector Hargreaves said an increase in family violence was concerning.

There were 883 family violence incidents recorded in the 12 month period, an increase of 8.1 per cent.

Wodonga experiences family violence incidents far above the state average.

Inspector Hargreaves urged people to report such incidents.

He said the coronavirus pandemic had led to a decrease in crime.

"People have been home, securing their premises," he said.

"It's a good time for people to look at their security and how they would like their premises to be protected before returning back to work and the kids back to school.

"Members of the community can assist police and help reduce crime."

Albury police have also recorded an increase in crime.