Crime in NSW is far below that of other jurisdictions, but the government says work still needs to be done. Photo: NSW Police.
The NSW Government has acknowledged new data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) showing that the state has some of the lowest crime rates in the nation.
Statistics are drawn from crime surveys and police data, indicating trends in the rates of offences across the state.
While the government is lauding the low rates of some crimes, it has recognised a need to continue to work on the issue, with a focus on family and domestic violence and sexual assault.
The report shows that NSW has the lowest victimisation rates for robbery, murder, breaking and entering, physical assault, theft of or from a motor vehicle, and malicious damage.
NSW also has the nation’s lowest murder rate, 9 per cent below the national average between 2021 and 2023. Between 2021 and 2024, the rate of robberies reported in the state was 67 per cent below the national average.
Reported break-and-enter cases were 30 per cent below the national average between 2022 and 2024.
NSW also had the second-lowest rate of physical assault in the country, 24 per cent below the national rate from 2022 to 2024.
Rates of motor vehicle-related offences, such as vehicle theft, theft from a vehicle and malicious damage, were also below those of other jurisdictions.
The NSW Government has affirmed its commitment to keeping communities safe, introducing and extending a new bail test for young people accused of repeated car theft and serious break-and-enter offences, while also making it harder for adults accused of serious domestic violence offences to receive bail.
In addition, the government is investing $23 million in targeted regional funding to combat youth recidivism.
