The NSW Police Force has welcomed the latest crime data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research which highlights higher rates of arrest for cocaine offences and increased reporting of indecent and sexual assault offences, NSW Police say.
BOCSAR’s quarterly update shows crime rates in all but one of the 17 major crime categories were either stable or falling in the 24 months to June 2018.
Police have attributed the 7.3 per cent upward trend in indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual offences to more victims reporting incidents to police and an increased public willingness to expose crimes of that type.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the public has greater confidence in alerting police to incidents partly due to recent social campaigns drawing attention to these types of crimes.
"A number of successful police investigations and a well-publicised Royal Commission into historical offences has had a significant impact on increased reporting," Commissioner Fuller said.
The BOCSAR statistics also highlight a 38 per cent increase in arrests for cocaine use and possession which is up four-fold since 2008.
"This reflects NSW Police’s focus on targeting and disrupting drug-related crime across the state.
Greater local policing efforts and improved home security technology is being attributed to a 6.5 per cent drop in break and enter dwelling; a 6.2 per cent fall in break and enter non-dwelling; and a 4.7 per cent reduction in malicious damage to property in the 24 months to June 2018.
"There is more work to do to reduce theft offences, particularly in some regional areas but with more police on the ground in communities across NSW, criminals should be worried.
BOCSAR has also recognised the NSW Police Force’s increasing efforts to combat youth crime with significantly more young offenders cautioned or referred to youth justice conferences.
"It has been my long-held view that by investing in preventative strategies, we can save a generation of young people from a life of crime, which is why I was proud to launch the RISEUP program last month to engage vulnerable young people by connecting them with employment opportunities and support services," Commissioner Fuller said.
