State-wide trends

Crime across most of NSW has either remained stable or fallen over the last two years. In the 24 months to December 2018 none of the 17 major offences were increasing, two were trending downward and the remaining 15 offences were stable.

The offences trending down were:

break and enter – dwelling (down 4.7%)
steal from person (down 7.2%)

Greater Sydney Statistical Area

Of the 15 Statistical Areas in Sydney, only two showed any upward trends in the major offences.

The number of incidents of indecent assault & other sex offences recorded in Baulkham Hills & Hawkesbury rose by 59.5% (from 84 to 134 incidents).

Blacktown also experienced a significant increase in the number of incidents of break and enter non-dwelling (up 39.9%).

Regional NSW

Crime trends were less favourable in regional NSW. The Far West & Orana reported a 28.9% increase in domestic assault largely due to increases in Dubbo and Narromine LGAs (up 64.5% and 48.2% respectively).

The Mid North Coast reported increases in break and enter-dwelling (up 28.3%), steal from vehicle (up 24.2%), steal from dwelling (up 19.4%) and fraud (up 49.9%).

Coffs Harbour-Grafton saw rises in vehicle theft (up 23.2%), steal from vehicle (up 37.8%), retail theft (up 40.0%) and fraud (up 32.1%).

Other noteworthy trends

The number of recorded possess/use of cocaine offences increased by 23.1%, while the number of recorded possess/use of amphetamines rose by 9.7%.

Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn 8346-1100
Copies of the report: www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au