Incidents of break and enter – dwelling have almost doubled in the Wellington local government area (LGA), which sits at almost nine times the state average for the crime.
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Police recorded 309 break and enter – dwelling incidents in the 12 months to March 2017, up from just 162 the previous year: a 90.7 per cent increase.
The figures have been released by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) as part of its quarterly report, which showed offences in all major crime categories remained steady across NSW.
But Wellington saw a 68.4 per cent rise in reported incidents of sexual assault, with incident rates more than twice the state average in ten of the 17 major crime categories.
Rates of break and enter – dwelling were 8.9 times the NSW rate, with other crime rates (calculated per 100,000) also significant: sexual assault (5.1 times); malicious damage to property (4.0); steal from dwelling (3.4); break and enter – non-dwelling (3.4); motor vehicle theft (3.0); domestic violence related assault (2.5); non-domestic violence related assault (2.4); steal from motor vehicle (2.2); indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual assault offences (2.1).
Dubbo saw a 33.5 per cent rise in steal from dwelling incidents, motor vehicle theft increased by 32.6 per cent and break and enter – dwelling incidents soared to four times the NSW average.
The Far West and Orana experienced significant 24-month increases in three major property offences: break and enter – dwelling (up 18.8 per cent), motor vehicle theft (up 28.1% per cent) and steal from retail store (up 28.0 per cent).
Statewide, steal from a person (down 15.9 per cent), robbery with a weapon not a firearm (down 10.9 per cent), break and enter dwelling (down 5.9 per cent), and fraud (down 4.3 per cent) have all fallen.
It was reassuring that no major offences were trending upwards at state level, BOCSAR deputy director Jackie Fitzgerald said, but regional crime problems should not be overlooked.
“The growth in crimes in the West and North West of NSW is particularly concerning because the crime rates in these areas are already more than twice, and in some cases more than three times the state average,” she said.
Police Minister and Dubbo MP Troy Grant congratulated NSW Police on the state results, but said “it is clear more needs to be done in some regional areas”.
“This is an incredible outcome, and a testament to the extraordinary work of our police officers, who continue to lead the nation in investigating crime and ensuring perpetrators are held to account,” Mr Grant said.
“I am committed to working closely with Commissioner Fuller and Deputy Commissioner Worboys to ensure our regional police are properly supported to prevent and disrupt crime in the country.”
