EFFECTIVE POLICING IN NSW PUSHES DOWN CRIME

Acting Premier and Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant said the latest quarterly report from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reflects the outstanding work of the NSW Police Force and the cooperation of the community.

The New South Wales Recorded Crime Statistics 2015 released today reports 16 major offences are trending downward or remaining stable across the state.

“These results are a credit to the tireless efforts of the NSW Police and I am very proud of their dedication and success in driving down crime throughout our state,” Mr Grant said.

In the 24 months to December 2015, only one of the 17 major offence categories showed a significant upward trend (steal from retail store up 6.7 percent), while seven offences were trending down:

• Robbery without a weapon – down 19.3 percent
• Robbery with a firearm – down 41.8 percent
• Robbery with a weapon not a firearm – down 20.7 percent
• Break and enter dwelling – down 7.1 percent
• Break and enter non-dwelling – down 7.1 percent
• Motor vehicle theft – down 5.5 percent
• Steal from motor vehicle – down 6.6 percent

BOCSAR has again identified increases in prohibited drug possession, including a 30.6 percent increase in amphetamine possession and a 35.9 percent increase in cocaine possession.

“The statistics relating to drug possession remain a concern while emphasising the success of the NSW Government’s targeted plan to stamp out drugs and support affected communities,” Mr Grant said.

“The BOCSAR report highlights the potential for drugs to cause further destruction across NSW as it doesn’t discriminate by postcode – increases in possession are reported in regional and metropolitan communities.

“The NSW Government remains committed to supporting the NSW Police Force to protect the community and these statistics showcase their efforts are being rewarded with record low crime throughout the state,” Mr Grant said.