Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander Superintendent Peter McKenna said the district continued to have the highest amount of arrests in NSW each month since January this year.

The latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research quarterly report shows non-domestic violence related assault, robbery without a weapon, possession and or use of ecstasy all remained stable with the same amount of cases from June 2017 to June 2018 in the Far West and Orana region. 

Assaults relating to domestic violence, indecency and other sexual offences increased over the period.  There were 1277 domestic violence related assaults recorded and 273 reports of indecent assault, acts of indecency and other sexual offences. 

Despite the high rate of crime in Dubbo in comparison with the state average, Supt. McKenna said the number of arrests was related to their policing strategy. 

“The Crime rate per 100 000 does inflate the figures when compared against much larger populated locations, however the reduction in crime is in direct correlation to the policing strategy of ‘Prevention, Disruption and Response’.

“Our arrest rate is not something we aim for but rather is a by-product of being proactive, detecting and disrupting offenders which all contribute to driving down crime.

“We will continue to take a proportionate response to crime reduction, arresting those offenders who need to be removed from the streets and have either strict bail conditions applied, or bail refusal.” 

Supt. McKenna said the police would continue their involvement in community and youth engagement, as a component of their policing strategy. 

“We will also continue to work with PCYC and other government agencies for early intervention and diversion from the criminal justice system, especially with kids and young persons.

“This two prong approach of being firm on crime but proportionate in response is what we will continue to do.”

In the Far West and Orana region there were less recorded cases over two years up until June 2018 of break and enters into houses, motor vehicle theft and stealing from vehicles, retail stores and dwellings.

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