Sydney Crime Index

77

(100 is safest)

Safer than 77% of most Australia cities

Sydney Crime Map

Sydney crime map
Contents show

Sydney Crime Statistics at a Glance

The chart illustrates the trend in the number of offences that happened in Sydney over the past 60 months.

60-month trend of criminal incidents across Sydney
  • In 2021, there was a 10% increase (38152 Incidents) in total criminal incidents compared to the previous year.
  • Sydney is in the 48th percentile for safety, meaning 52% of NSW cities are safer and 48% of cities are more dangerous.
  • The number of criminal incidents of assault decreased by 7% (2456 Incidents) from 2020 to 2021.
  • The number of sexual offences recorded in 2021 (including sexual assault) decreased by 4% (279 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of homicide offences recorded in 2021 decreased by 49% (33 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of burglary offences (unlawful entry) recorded in 2021 decreased by 16% (2028 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of theft offences recorded in 2021 decreased by 9% (8260 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of motor vehicle thefts (car theft and others) recorded in 2021 decreased by 19% (1223 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of vandalism offences (Property damage) recorded in 2021 decreased by 13% (3530 Incidents) compared to the previous year.

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Crime in Sydney: An In-Depth Analysis

According to Safer Australia’s analysis of the latest crime statistics from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Sydney is ranked safer than 77% of the cities and towns across Australia, regardless of population size. That means that Sydney crime rate is below average to all cities and towns in Australia. However, Sydney city is ranked as the 5th safest city in the world.

In NSW, only about 23% of communities have a lower crime rate than Sydney. As a result, Sydney has moderate scores in public safety metrics.

If you are a resident of Sydney, your chance of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 27 (based on the total crime rate of crimes against the person and property combined) while the New South Wales average is 1 in 20.

Let’s take a closer look at Sydney’s crime statistics and see how it fares in terms of crimes against person and property crimes. This information is crucial because it can shed light on whether violent crimes or property crimes or both, are the primary factors driving Sydney’s overall crime rate. So, are you curious to learn more about Sydney’s crime data and what they reveal about the community’s safety and security? Let’s dive in!

Safer Australia’s analysis reveals that against the person crime rate in Sydney is 1249 per one hundred thousand inhabitants while the NSW average rate is 1500. So, one’s chances to become a victim of crimes against the person in Sydney is 1 in 79. The crimes against the person included in this analysis are homicide, assault, sexual offences (sexual assault and other sexual offences combined), robbery (including armed robberies), abduction, kidnapping, stalking, blackmail, and extortion.

From our analysis, we discovered that your odds of becoming a victim of a property crime if you live in Sydney is 1 in 42. This is equal to a rate of 2331 per one hundred thousand residents compared to a rate of 3158 per 100,000 residents for NSW state. It’s worth mentioning that the property crimes tracked here include theft, burglary (unlawful entry), arson, and malicious damage to property.

Discovering the intricacies of criminal offences in New South Wales and interpreting crime data can be a daunting task. However, fear not! Our NSW crime glossary provides clear and concise definitions of the most common criminal offences, making it easier for you to comprehend the information.

Sydney Crime Rates by Offences Division

DivisionNumber of CrimesCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Crimes against the person653081500
Property and deception offences1219172331
Drug offences30554584
Public order and security offences16050307
Justice procedures offences45406868
Other offences1385792650
Total4178147989

Sydney Crimes Against the Person

My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Crime Against the Person

1 in 79

In Sydney

1 in 65

In NSW

Crimes Against the Person Comparison (Per 100,000 Residents)

Violent crimes against the person in Sydney vs New South Wales

Crimes Against the Person: Sydney vs NSW

Sydney population: 5230011

NSW population: 8058541

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents)
Homicide357211
Assault3362362864643770
Sexual offences732014650140179
Robbery111517602122
Abduction and kidnapping12520323
Blackmail and Extortion10412722
Intimidation, stalking and harassment2194340910420501
Other offences against the person104318832023

Please find below a detailed breakdown of the major crimes against the person, including the number of offences and corresponding Sydney crime rates for the selected offences.

CrimesNo. of offencesRate
Murder230.44
Sexual assault348767
Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences383373
Domestic violence related assault17412333
Non-domestic violence related assault14686280

Sydney Property and Deception Offences

My Chances of Becoming a Victim of Property and Deception Offences

1 in 42

In Sydney

1 in 30

In NSW

Property and Deception Offences Comparison (Per 100,000 Residents)

Property offences in Sydney vs New South Wales

Property and Deception Offences: Sydney vs NSW, Australia

Sydney population: 5230011

NSW population: 8058541

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Theft8578418002816402204
Burglary/Break and Enter1054924967202306
Arson132237602546
Malicious damage to property2426249136464602

The following are the major property and deception offences, along with Sydney crime statistics for each type of offence.

CrimesNo. of offencesRate
Motor vehicle theft504997
Steal from motor vehicle14737282
Steal from retail store11298216
Break and enter dwelling7978153
Break and enter non-dwelling257149

Drug Offences

Drug Offences Comparison (Per 100,000 Residents)

Drug offences in Sydney vs NSW in Australia

Drug Offences: Sydney vs New South Wales

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Drug use and possession221783403242441667
Drug dealing and trafficking40716293787705
Cultivate or manufacture drugs463111691366
Other drug offences384258413772

Public Order and Security Offences

Public Order and Security Offences Comparison (Per 100,000 Residents)

Public order and security offences comparison chart

Public Order and Security Offences: Sydney vs NSW

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Disorderly conduct857917321164212
Prohibited and regulated weapons offences747114664143180

Sydney Crimes per Square KM

Crimes per square KM in Sydney

Sydney Crime FAQs

How many murders were in Sydney in 2021?

According to the New South Wales Police Force and BOSCAR data, there were 23 murders in Sydney in 2021. The number of homicides (which includes murders, attempted murder, murder conspiracy, and manslaughters) was 35 with a homicide rate of 1 in 100,000 persons.

What’s the most common crime in Sydney?

According to the latest available data from the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the most common type of crime in Sydney is Breach bail conditions.

What is the crime rate in Sydney?

The overall crime rate in Sydney, as measured by the number of reported offences per 100,000 population was 7989 offences per 100,000 population in the year ending December 2021.

However, it’s important to note that this is an aggregate figure that includes all types of crime, and some types of offences are more prevalent than others. Additionally, crime rates can vary by location, with some areas experiencing higher rates of certain types of crime than others.

Is Sydney a safe place to live in?

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) states that Sydney total crime rate in 2021 was 7989. This means it’s 49% safer than all NSW suburbs. So Sydney has a moderate safety profile according to our scoring systems.

Is Sydney safe at night?

36% of crimes in Sydney occur between 6 PM and 6 AM so, it’s fairly safe to walk alone in Sydney at night.

What suburb has the highest crime rate in Sydney?

Haymarket is the suburb with the highest rate of reported criminal incidents in Sydney with a rate of 116803 incidents per 100,000 population, according to BOCSAR’s 2021 data. Yet, Haymarket is safer than 1% of NSW suburbs.

What is the safest suburb in Sydney?

Green Point (Gosford) is the safest suburb in Sydney with a rate of 15 incidents per 100,000 population as per BOCSAR’s 2021 report. Green Point (Gosford) is safer than 100% of NSW suburbs making it one of the suburbs with the lowest crime rates.

However, it’s important to note that low crime rates do not necessarily guarantee safety, and that crime can occur anywhere, so it’s important to always stay vigilant and take appropriate safety measures.

Sydney Crime Rate by Suburb

Sydney suburbsTotal crimes in 2020Total crime rate in 2020Total crimes in 2021Total crime rate in 2021
Abbotsbury10424731052497
Abbotsford14125871502752
Acacia Gardens7620661123045
Agnes Banks434348424247
Airds4211291042713094
Alexandria909941297010043
Alfords Point792519672136
Alison (Central Coast)67059910588
Allambie Heights15320871532087
Allawah12222671122081
Ambarvale534735174510256
Annandale36238174795051
Annangrove533618342321
Appin9529501083354
Arcadia332230332230
Arncliffe56647067656361
Arndell Park12420666671011683333
Artarmon44146774154401
Ashbury501490471400
Ashcroft7612094142411668
Ashfield1392604815006517
Asquith18530082033301
Auburn2490633433448507
Austral25537372844162
Avalon Beach25624732522435
Avoca Beach15432821423026
Badgerys Creek31176142313068
Balgowlah27033232092572
Balgowlah Heights621755521472
Balmain51248976155882
Balmain East884676944995
Bangor13023471001806
Banksia15848191785428
Banksmeadow78156637515060
Bankstown607217363641718350
Bankstown Aerodrome641280000791580000
Bar Point18150001915833
Barangaroo853846218382805
Barden Ridge10926331403382
Bardia20335341963412
Bardwell Park783351582491
Bardwell Valley451934341461
Bargo18440502164755
Bass Hill9629424102510041
Bateau Bay81364809017182
Baulkham Hills1072286811603103
Bayview912393832183
Beacon Hill16521111752239
Beaconsfield221890342921
Beaumont Hills17819671551713
Beecroft19118522192123
Belfield23135252023082
Belimbla Park5865183114
Bell371431535714
Bella Vista30336213173788
Bellevue Hill26925412652503
Belmore62445216494702
Belrose27531462262585
Bensville572278512038
Berala26129812372707
Berambing219801990
Berkeley Vale34338383203581
Berkshire Park612827773568
Berowra26555672595441
Berowra Heights12223181011919
Berowra Waters15925963704
Berrilee7322683687
Beverley Park552082722725
Beverly Hills39738005014796
Bexley57129066273191
Bexley North15135261533572
Bidwill7131697280419138
Bilgola Beach7282341613
Bilgola Plateau762076711939
Bilpin213201243659
Birchgrove1053277712216
Birrong20360712086220
Blackett5361495556115653
Blackheath23650612024332
Blacktown11707229871510229653
Blackwall1216234723709
Blair Athol562057521910
Blairmount276683194703
Blakehurst22834282573863
Blaxland31442173795090
Blaxlands Ridge152568559418
Bligh Park23737932053281
Blue Bay55517916615631
Blue Haven44567813815806
Blue Mountains National Park660880
Bondi70868206526281
Bondi Beach143712437184615977
Bondi Junction204119708175216918
Bonnet Bay261159291292
Bonnyrigg54055366306458
Bonnyrigg Heights16822812182960
Booker Bay483333775347
Bossley Park41326724312789
Botany48737654153208
Bouddi41000005125000

Note: The data for murder and manslaughter refers to the number of recorded victims, not criminal incidents.

References

  • NSW Police public site
  • NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census QuickStats for all persons

Popular Suburbs in Sydney

Popular Urban Areas Near Sydney

State

New South Wales