Proactive policing is having a significant impact on crime reduction according to the latest quarterly data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), NSW Police say.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM, said the figures reflect the hard work of officers with four of the major crime categories falling and the other 12 remaining stable.
"We are continuing to focus on preventing and disrupting crime and as a result we are seeing a positive effect in reducing the fear of crime and increasing personal safety and security," Commissioner Fuller said.
"High-visibility and mobile policing operations targeting anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related violence, and drug possession and supply are having a significant impact in most parts of the state.
In the last 24 months to December 2017, there has been a reduction in the following major crime categories across the state:
- Break and enter (dwelling) – down 6.5 per cent
- Break and enter (non-dwelling) – down 9.8 per cent
- Steal from person – down 8.3 per cent
- Fraud – down 4.8 per cent
Drug offences such as cocaine possession and the dealing and trafficking of cocaine, predominately a crime detected in Sydney’s inner city and Eastern Suburbs, have increased by 43.4 per cent and 64 per cent respectively.
Commissioner Fuller said this can be attributed to increased operational activity targeting drug possession and supply.
"We have regular drug operations, including the use of drug detection dogs, throughout the CBD, suburbs and regional centres targeting illicit drug possession and distribution," Commissioner Fuller said.
The increase in transport offences – specifically in the North West and South/South West sectors – is reflective of greater proactivity by the Police Transport and Public Safety Command.
Steal from retail store (up 3.9 per cent) was the only major crime category to increase statewide, while in the Greater Sydney area there was an increase in sexual assault.
Meanwhile, long-term trends in violent and property crime show four crime categories – robbery, motor vehicle theft, break and enter, and murder –are now at their lowest recorded levels in 25 years across NSW.
"It is encouraging to see an overall decrease in crime statistics which correlates with increased proactive policing," Commissioner Fuller said.
