Major Crime Categories Reduced Across the State

Major crime categories across the State have continued to remain stable or have fallen in the two years to June 2020, according to the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data published today.

Member for Manly James Griffin welcomed the report, which showed that only one of the 17 major crime categories had increased during the 24-month period across NSW.

The five categories which recorded major trends are:

• Steal from person – decreased by 25.4 per cent;
• Robbery without a weapon – decreased by 12.6 per cent;
• Steal from motor vehicle – decreased by 12.1 per cent;
• Malicious damage to property – decreased by 5.4 per cent; and
• Sexual assault has increased by 9.4 per cent.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott increases in reported sexual assault may be due to more victims reporting to police, rather than higher prevalence of the offence.

BOCSAR has also attributed part of the increase to more mandatory reporting of child sexual assault cases, which may not have otherwise come to light.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our world-class police officers have dedicated their time to enforcing public health orders to keep the community safe,” Mr Elliott said.

“The men and women in blue work incredibly hard to protect communities right across NSW, and it’s pleasing to see their efforts reflected in these results.” 

Mr Griffin said this is another opportunity to look at the hard work done by the officers of the Northern Beaches Police Area Command.

“Increased community awareness and reporting as well as more police proactively targeting criminals are also reflected in BOCSAR’s results,” Mr Griffin said.

The Northern Beaches has seen a 40% drop in break-and-enters in dwellings, a 33% drop in theft from retail stores, and a 17% drop in malicious damage to property over the 24 months to June 2020 – in part attributed to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. All other major offences were stable on the Northern Beaches.

Mr Griffin said the NSW Government is powering ahead in delivering 1,500 new police – the biggest increase to the Force in more than 30 years – as part of a record $583 million investment over four years.

“Community safety is our number one priority and this major boost in police means we’ll continue to have more police doing the right jobs in the right places to help keep people safe, now more important than ever,” Mr Griffin said.

To read BOCSAR’s full report published today, visit www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au.