Release Date: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
New statistics released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show that in the year to September 2023, many high-volume property crimes still remain lower than pre-pandemic. Following large reductions in offending during the pandemic, police recorded 18% fewer property offences between October 2022 and September 2023 than in the same period five years ago (12 months to September 2019).
This five-year reduction is largely driven by significant falls in break and enter - dwelling (down 23%), break and enter - non-dwelling (down 17%), steal from motor vehicle (down 26%), malicious damage to property (down 14%) and other stealing (down 25%). There has also been a 21% reduction in robbery offences.
Two of the 13 major crime categories did however show a significant upward trend in the most recent five years:
- Domestic violence assault increased 14% in the five years to September 2023
- Sexual assault increased 30% in the five years to September 2023
The five-year increase in domestic assault was most pronounced in Regional NSW with the largest increases recorded in Coffs Harbour-Grafton (up 72%), Capital Region (up 53%), Mid North Coast (up 49%), and Hunter Valley (up 43%). Recorded incidents of domestic assault in Inner West Sydney also rose by 57% in the five years to September 2023. By comparison, the increase in sexual assault was driven by increases in both metropolitan Sydney areas and regional communities. The largest increases were seen in Riverina (up 67%), Coffs Harbour-Grafton (up 65%), Murray (up 59%), Inner West Sydney (up 58%), and Parramatta (up 49%).
The latest report also shows that in the two years to September 2023, eight of the 13 major crime categories showed significant upward trends: non-domestic violence related assault (up 11.2%), robbery (up 18.3%), break and enter dwelling (up 8.1%), break and enter non-dwelling (up 15.2%), motor vehicle theft (up 18.8%), steal from motor vehicle (up 5.0%), steal from retail store (up 36.1%) and other stealing (up 9.3%). BOCSAR A/Executive Director, Suzanne Poynton, said that for the most part, these upward trends reflect a recovery from COVID-related crime falls: "As has been previously reported, the rate of offending for many crimes was significantly interrupted by the pandemic. Reports of domestic and sexual violence are higher now than five years ago, but most major property crimes still remain well below pre-pandemic levels".
