Incidents of assault, break and enter – dwelling, motor vehicle theft, steal from dwelling and fraud in Dubbo all increased significantly in the 24 months to March 2017.
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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 the Dubbo local government area (LGA) saw a 33.5 per cent rise in steal from dwelling incidents between March 2015 and March 2017, and a 32.6 per cent increase in motor vehicle theft.
Incidents of non-domestic violence related assault rose 29.8 per cent, fraud increased 22.2 per cent and break and enter – dwelling rose 18.2 per cent.
Meanwhile incident rates (calculated per 100,000 people) were more than twice the state average for nine major crime categories in the year to March 2017: break and enter – dwelling (4.0 times the NSW rate); steal from motor vehicle (3.8); robbery with a firearm (3.3); motor vehicle theft (3.3); break and enter – non-dwelling (3.1); steal from retail store (2.9); robbery with a weapon not a firearm (2.3); steal from dwelling (2.3); malicious damage to property (2.2).
In Wellington LGA rates of break and enter – dwelling soared to 8.9 times the state average, with incidents of sexual assault 5.1 times the NSW rate.
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.”