Search for Vic crime stats head begins The Victorian government has set up an independent crime statistics body after years of controversy. VICTORIA has begun the search for a top number cruncher following years of controversy over the accuracy of state crime figures. Recruitment for a chief statistician to head up a new independent crime statistics agency began on Friday. The new body is designed to keep statistics at arms length from government and police to prevent misleading information being used for political purposes. Police Minister Kim Wells says he hopes the public's trust in crime statistics can be strengthened under the new system. "There has been too much controversy over crime statistics in recent years," he said in a statement. In 2011, the ombudsman recommended for the second time that an independent body be set up for managing the release of such information. The move came after misleading crime statistics were released by police ahead of the 2010 state election. Simon Overland resigned as police chief in the wake of the controversy. The new agency will collate and analyse crime statistics from Victoria Police before the information is published. The new body is supported with $8.4 million in this year's budget after facing years of delays. Ombudsman George Brouwer had also criticised the government for failing to move more quickly on such an important issue.