New data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has revealed a sharp rise in the number of crimes being solved by NSW Police.
The study, Trends in police legal action rates 2009-2023, examines the rate of legal action taken by police across 11 categories of offences over 15 years. It reveals a significant increase in charges laid over violent offences including robbery (up 20 percentage points), between 2009 and 2023. There were also increases across the rates of legal action for domestic violence-related assault (up 7 percentage points), non-domestic assault (up 2 percentage points), sexual touching and other sexual offences (up 2 percentage points).
The rate of legal action taken over malicious damage to property offences rose 14 percentage points over the same period.
Significant increases were also recorded across non-dwelling break and enters (up 13 percentage points), dwelling break and enters (up 8 percentage points), motor vehicle theft (up 8 percentage points) and steal from motor vehicle (up 3 percentage points).
“Police are bringing more people to court than we’ve seen in a long time – a clear sign that their hard work is making a difference,” said Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley.
“Police don’t just catch offenders – they put in the tough, behind-the-scenes work to make sure those people are held accountable a process that is often complex, relentless, and doesn’t always get the credit it deserves.
“This is yet another example of the incredible work our officers do day in and day out. I want to give a genuine thank you to every officer out there giving their all to keep our community safe.”
Acting Attorney General, Ron Hoenig said it was pleasing to see the figures reveal that more alleged domestic violence offenders and perpetrators of serious property crime are being charged and brought before the courts.
“Community safety is the priority of the NSW Government. We are continuing to invest in stronger protections for domestic violence victim-survivors and have made it harder for alleged offenders to get bail,” he said.
“At the same time, we have tightened the bail test for young people accused of repeat break and enter and motor theft offences to break the cycle of youth offending.”
