MAJOR CRIME CATEGORIES STABLE OR DOWN BUT RETAIL THEFT IS UP

The latest quarterly crime data shows 16 of the 17 major crime categories have trended down or remained stable, while one category has risen.

Steal from Retail Store rose 5.3 per cent in the two years to September 2015.

The offences trending down were:

·         Murder (down 20.0 per cent)

·         Non-domestic assault (down 3.7 per cent)

·         Robbery without a weapon (down 19.5 per cent)

·         Robbery with a firearm (down 26.8 per cent)

·         Robbery with a weapon not a firearm (down 19.1 per cent)

·         Break and enter dwelling (down 5.4 per cent)

·         Steal from person (down 6.9 per cent)

·         Malicious damage to property (down 7.0 per cent)

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Troy Grant said the positive results are testament to the proactive work of the NSW Police Force.

“It is extremely encouraging to see the majority of offences are down or stable and shows the hard work the men and women in blue are doing every day is helping them crack down on crime,”

“I am concerned by the increase in the Steal from Retail Store category and encourage shop owners to review security measures.

Outside the major crime categories, we have seen use and possession of illegal drugs continue to rise with a 55 per cent increase for cocaine and a 37 per cent increase for amphetamines.

“I’m disappointed to learn first-time arrests have increased by more than 70 per cent in Coffs Harbour-Grafton; the Shoalhaven; the Far West and Orana; and the Murray,” Mr Grant said.

“The scourge of drug use across the state and particularly in regional areas is disheartening and I will continue to ensure police have the tools they need to crack down on crime.”