Recorded Crime Statistics June Quarter 2009 - Special update: Shooting incidents and murder:

Release date: 8 September 2009

Despite the recent spate of shootings, the long-term trend in shooting incidents in NSW remains stable, according to the quarterly crime figures released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

The Bureau examined separate trends in the incident categories of murder, shoot with intent to murder, shoot with intent other than to murder and discharge firearm into premises. Between the September 2004 and June 2009 quarters, none of the incident categories showed any significant upward or downward trend.

The Director of the Bureau, Dr Don Weatherburn, said that the number of incidents involving discharge of a firearm into premises had surged in 2008, reaching a peak of 15 incidents in December 2008, a peak repeated in March of 2009.

"The number of incidents of discharge firearm into premises, however, has since fallen back to around four per month", he said.

Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn 0419-494-408 or 9231-9190
Copies of the report: www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au

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