For the second year running, Covid-19 lockdowns have coincided with lower rates of crime across NSW.
Murder, robbery, burglary, car theft, stealing offences and malicious damage to property are among the crimes that fell to their lowest rates since records began in 1995, according to the latest data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
Sydney residents were confined to their homes for three months between March to May 2020 and another four months from June to October the following year.
Residents of regional NSW also endured twoxjmtzyw months of lockdowns.
Violent crimes such as sex offences and non-domestic assault also dropped while NSW residents were stuck at home, but returned to pre-pandemic levels when restrictions eased in October 2021.
Significantly, the rate of people breaching Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) rose by 9.5 per cent in NSW over the last two years.
“What was unexpected is that the downward trend was so consistent across offences,” BOCSAR’s executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said.
“For those offences that remained low in December 2021, it will be interesting to observe how long it takes for crime rates to return to pre-pandemic levels as NSW residents resume regular activities”.
Drug offences are showing the greatest upward trend in the last five years.
Dealing and trafficking cocaine is up by 14.2 per cent, while the same offence linked to amphetamines is up by 10.5 per cent.
Overall, the importation of drugs is up by 26 per cent in the last five years.
Court cases relating to young people stealing from retail stores was down reduced by 237 instances in the last twelve months.
Breaking and entering homes saw a rise of 113 court cases.
The adult population of NSW appeared in court for 1400 more proceedings related to intimidation, stalking and harassment in 2021.
