The NSW Government has acknowledged new data from the Bureau of Crimes Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) released today, confirming the state has some of the country’s lowest crime rates.
NSW Attorney-General, Michael Daley said the statistics, drawn from crime surveys and police statistics, are a positive sign.
“But we know they are of little comfort for victim survivors of crime and in towns with persistently higher offending,” he said.
“There is also more work to be done including to eliminate family and domestic violence and sexual assault which continue to occur at unacceptably high rates.”
The BOCSAR report shows NSW has among the lowest victimisation rates for murder, robbery, break and enters, physical assault, malicious damage and theft of and from a motor vehicle.
NSW had the country’s lowest murder rate which was 9% below the national average between 2021 and 2023.
The rate of robberies reported in NSW was 67% below the national average, between 2021 and 2024.
Reported break and enters were also 30% below the national average between 2022 and 2024.
NSW also had the second lowest rate of physical assault which was 24% below the national average over the same period.
The BOSCAR figures showed rates of motor vehicle theft, theft from a motor vehicle and malicious damage were also lower than many jurisdictions; while malicious damage and theft from a motor vehicle were also 17 and 33% below the national average, respectively.
“While NSW consistently records lower rates compared to other jurisdictions, we understand the community’s ongoing safety concerns,” said Mr Daley.
“While the drivers of crime are complex and won’t be solved overnight, the NSW Government is working to help keep the community safe.
“We have introduced and extended a new bail test for young people accused of repeat car theft and serious break and enter offences and made it harder for adults accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail.
“We are also investing $23 million in targeted regional funding to break the cycle of youth offending,” he said.
