Crime in Victoria has risen to its highest rate in 10 years, placing pressure on Premier Jacinta Allan as she fends off questions of a leadership challenge.

The rate of crime in the state increased by 2.4 per cent to 8885.5 offences per 100,000 people, with the number of offences rising by 4.2 per cent to 630,593 last year, data from Victoria's Crime Statistics Agency reveals.

The offences per 100,000 people is at its highest level since 2016.

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The sharp rise has been driven by an increase in theft, with a 14.2 per cent rise in people allegedly stealing, amounting to an increase of nearly 6000 people in the 12 months to December 31 last year.

The rate of crime in Melbourne rose 2.1 per cent to 17,671.9 incidents per 100,000 people, with the Latrobe and Port Phillip regions rising by 5.9 per cent each.

These rises come despite the Allan government implementing a controversial machete amnesty and ban, as well as strengthening their bail laws and criminal penalties for young offenders committing violent crimes.

The data shows 17,400 machetes were seized by police, a record number.

The data dump came the same day the embattled premier was forced to deny speculation she will face a leadership challenge, dismissing the rumours as "anonymous speculation".

With the state election coming later this year, Labor sits behind the Liberal Party in the polls and is also being trailed closely by One Nation.

Media reports have suggested a plan to oust Allan as Labor leader and Premier could be in the making.

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However, Allan denied the rumours, insisting she had the support of the party room and questioning the source of the rumours.

"We are a strong team, we are a united team," she said this morning.

"This is anonymous gossip, it's from a few scallywags."

Despite this, she also sent a pointed message, saying such concerns and rumours would not help Labor's campaign.

"Now is not the time for cuts and division, now is the time to be focused," she added.

No one has officially been labelled as wanting to lead the charge of a leadership change at such a crucial moment, with Labor MPs entering parliament today and posing a united front, backing Allan's leadership.

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Gabrielle Williams, the Transport Minister from the left faction, and Ben Carroll, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education from the right faction, both dismissed such speculation when quizzed by media this morning.

"It's idle gossip… I pay no attention to it," Williams said at a press conference this morning.

Carroll was stopped in the halls of Parliament House, where he delivered a similar response.

"No, I want to be the education minister," he replied when asked if he wanted to be Premier.

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Victoria's Chief Health Officer (CHO) has issued an urgent health warning following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

Six cases of the severe respiratory disease have been recorded in Craigieburn and surrounding northern suburbs since early March.

The patients have received treatment in hospital.

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Victorian CHO Dr Caroline McElnay is warning people who work, live in or have visited Craigieburn, Mickleham, Greenvale and Roxburgh Park from late February, and develop flu-like symptoms, to seek urgent medical care.

Symptoms of Legionnaire's disease include typical flu symptoms like headaches, chills, muscle aches and pains and cough, which can progress to atypical pneumonia.

Other symptoms may include confusion, diarrhoea and kidney impairment.

Health professionals are advised to be alert to the possibility of Legionnaires' disease in patients, including people who may have travelled along the Hume Highway and stopped for food or petrol in the area.

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Authorities are investigating the source of the outbreak, testing local cooling towers and other potential sources.

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria, which are widespread in the environment.

They are found in natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, creeks and hot springs, as well as spas, warm water systems and artificial systems that use water for cooling, heating or industrial processes, such as cooling towers, as well as potting mix.

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The disease is spread by breathing in fine droplets of water that contain the bacteria, but cannot be spread from person-to-person or by drinking contaminated water.

Legionnaires' can be treated with antibiotics, but it can be deadly if symptoms aren't treated promptly.

Over 65s, smokers, excess alcohol drinkers and people with underlying health conditions at greater risk of infection.

Victoria's last major outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was linked to a cooling tower in Laverton North in late July of 2024.

The outbreak led to more than 100 confirmed cases and two deaths.

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A Sydney rock frontman is facing possible life behind bars if convicted over his alleged role in what police claim is a $5.5 million international drug ring.

Police have charged eight people, including the musician Azaria Byrne, who is accused of running an international drug ring out of a music studio in Sydney's inner west.

Detectives said they identified a group that they allege is responsible for the coordination, manufacture and supply of illegal drugs, including ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, and LSD.

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Police searched eight properties yesterday in Potts Point, Earlwood, Dulwich Hill, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Balmain.

The first search took place at a Potts Point home about 6.40am and saw a 33-year-old man arrested after police allegedly found and seized illegal drugs and more than $37,000 in cash.

He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with multiple offences, including 17 counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of an illegal drug.

Shortly after, police executed a search warrant at a Leichhardt music studio.

They allegedly discovered about 25 kilograms of ketamine, more than 17 kilograms of cannabis, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 3.5 kilograms of MDMA, 5.6 kilograms of diazepam, and more than 500 grams of psilocybin.

About 70 grams of methamphetamine, more than 18,000 tablets believed to contain LSD, and $200,000 cash were also seized.

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Police later conducted raids at multiple properties across Earlwood, Dulwich Hill and Marrickville, seizing more drugs and cash.

Superintendent Gretchen Atkins called the operation an "excellent investigation".

"Tonight, there are less drugs on the streets of Sydney."

Byrne, who fronts the rock group The Art, and his fiancee Brooke Mitchell were both denied bail and appeared in court today.

The six other people involved in the alleged drug ring were charged with offences relating to the supply of illegal drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

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