Newcastle Crime Index

5

(100 is safest)

Safer than 5% of most Australia suburbs

Newcastle Crime Map

Newcastle crime map

Newcastle Crime Statistics at a Glance

The chart below shows the 60-month trend of the number of offences that occurred in Newcastle.

60-month trend of criminal incidents across Newcastle
  • The number of criminal incidents recorded by NSW Police in the year 2021 was 1329, down 1% from 1346 incidents recorded in the same period last year.
  • Newcastle is in the 3rd percentile for safety, meaning 97% of NSW suburbs are safer than Newcastle and 3% of suburbs are more dangerous than Newcastle.
  • The number of assault offences recorded in 2021 increased by 10% (10 Incidents) compared to the previous year..
  • The number of sexual offences recorded in 2021 decreased by 31% (5 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • There were no homicide offences recorded during the years 2020 and 2021.
  • The number of burglary offences recorded in 2021 decreased by 36% (19 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of theft offences recorded in 2021 decreased by 11% (26 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of robbery offences recorded in 2021 increased by 14% (1 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of motor vehicle thefts recorded in 2021 decreased by 33% (6 Incidents) compared to the previous year.
  • The number of vandalism offences (Property damage) recorded in 2021 decreased by 8% (8 Incidents) compared to the previous year.

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Crime in Newcastle: An In-Depth Analysis

Based on the latest crime statistics from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, AU Crime Rate’s analysis indicates that Newcastle is safer than only 5% of all suburbs across the nation, regardless of population size. This implies that Newcastle’s crime rate is considerably higher than the average across most suburbs in Australia.

How does Newcastle perform compared to other suburbs of all population sizes in NSW? The crime rate in Newcastle is greater than that of roughly 97% of other suburbs in NSW, leading to low public safety scores.

As a resident of Newcastle, the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 7 based on the combined crime rate of offences against the person and property. This is in contrast to the New South Wales average, where the chance of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 20.

To get a more comprehensive understanding of Newcastle’s crime statistics, it is essential to take a closer look at its against the person and property crime data. This examination is particularly critical because it enables us to determine whether violent crime, property crime, or both are the primary contributors to the total crime rate in Newcastle. By doing so, we can gain a more in-depth insight into the nature and extent of crime in Newcastle.

AU Crime Rate’s analysis has uncovered that the rate of crimes against the person in Newcastle is 4265 per one hundred thousand inhabitants. By contrast, the statewide average for such crimes stands at 1500. This suggests that experiencing serious offences like homicide, assault, sexual offences, robbery, abduction, kidnapping, stalking, blackmail, or extortion is 1 in 22 if you reside in Newcastle.

Our data reveals that the odds of becoming a victim of property crime in Newcastle are 1 in 10, with a rate of 8943 incidents per 100,000 residents. Keep in mind that the NSW average is 3158 incidents per 100,000 residents. The types of property crimes tracked in this analysis include theft, burglary, arson, and malicious damage to property.

Looking to understand the various types of criminal offences in New South Wales and make sense of crime data? Check out our NSW crime glossary for easy-to-understand definitions of common criminal offences.

Newcastle Crime Rates by Offences Division

DivisionNumber of CrimesCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Crimes against the person1654265
Property and deception offences3468943
Drug offences521344
Public order and security offences741913
Justice procedures offences47112174
Other offences2215712
Total132934350

Newcastle Crimes Against the Person

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

1 in 22

In Newcastle

1 in 65

In NSW

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

Violent crimes against the person in Newcastle vs New South Wales in Australia

Crimes Against the Person: Newcastle vs NSW

Newcastle population: 3869

NSW population: 8058541

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents)
Homicide07201
Assault108628642791770
Sexual offences1114650284179
Robbery8176020722
Abduction and kidnapping020303
Blackmail and Extortion012702
Intimidation, stalking and harassment3540910905501
Other offences against the person318837823

Here is a breakdown of the major crimes against the person (violent crimes) including the number of offences and Newcastle crime rates for the selected offences.

CrimesNo. of offencesRate
Murder00
Sexual assault4103
Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences7181
Domestic violence related assault21543
Non-domestic violence related assault751938

Newcastle Property and Deception Offences

My Chances of Becoming a Victim of Property and Deception Offences

1 in 10

In Newcastle

1 in 30

In NSW

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

Property offences in Newcastle vs New South Wales

Property and Deception Offences: Newcastle vs NSW, Australia

Newcastle population: 3869

NSW population: 8058541

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Theft21918002856602204
Burglary/Break and Enter3424967879306
Arson337607846
Malicious damage to property90491362326602

An overview of the major property and deception offences, including Newcastle crime statistics for each offence type.

CrimesNo. of offencesRate
Motor vehicle theft12310
Steal from motor vehicle38982
Steal from retail store31801
Break and enter dwelling14362
Break and enter non-dwelling20517

Drug Offences

Drug Offences Comparison (Per 100,000 Residents)

Drug offences in Newcastle vs NSW

Drug Offences: Newcastle 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 possession4034032103441667
Drug dealing and trafficking562931297705
Cultivate or manufacture drugs0111601366
Other drug offences7584118172

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: Newcastle vs NSW

CrimesTotal Criminal IncidentsNSW Total Criminal IncidentsCrime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)NSW Crime Rate (Per 100,000 Residents)
Disorderly conduct3717321956212.07
Prohibited and regulated weapons offences3714664956179.54

Newcastle Crimes per Square KM

Crimes per square km in Newcastle vs NSW

Newcastle Crime FAQs

How many murders were in Newcastle in 2021?

According to the New South Wales Police Force and BOSCAR data, there were 0 murders in Newcastle in 2021. The number of homicides (which includes murders, attempted murder, murder conspiracy, and manslaughters) was 0.

What’s the most common crime in Newcastle?

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

What is the crime rate in Newcastle?

The overall crime rate in Newcastle, as measured by the number of reported offences per 100,000 population was 34350 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 Newcastle a safe place to live in?

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) states that Newcastle total crime rate in 2021 was 34350. This means it’s 3% safer than all NSW suburbs. So Newcastle has a low safety profile according to our scoring systems.

Is Newcastle safe at night?

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

Total Crime Stats of Newcastle

DivisionSubdivisionOffence typeYear (2020)Year (2021)
Crimes against the personHomicideMurder00
Crimes against the personHomicideAttempted murder00
Crimes against the personHomicideMurder accessory, conspiracy00
Crimes against the personHomicideManslaughter00
Crimes against the personAssaultAssault Police712
Crimes against the personAssaultDomestic violence related assault1821
Crimes against the personAssaultNon-domestic violence related assault7375
Crimes against the personSexual offencensSexual assault74
Crimes against the personSexual offencensSexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences938
Crimes against the personRobberyRobbery547
Crimes against the personAbduction and kidnappingAbduction and kidnapping00
Crimes against the personBlackmail and extortionBlackmail and extortion00
Crimes against the personIntimidation, stalking and harassmentIntimidation, stalking and harassment5135
Crimes against the personOther offences against the personOther offences against the person13
Property and deception offencesTheftMotor vehicle theft1812
Property and deception offencesTheftSteal from motor vehicle3738
Property and deception offencesTheftSteal from retail store3231
Property and deception offencesTheftReceiving or handling stolen goods98
Property and deception offencesTheftSteal from dwelling2920
Property and deception offencesTheftSteal from person99
Property and deception offencesTheftStock theft00
Property and deception offencesTheftFraud5438
Property and deception offencesTheftOther theft offences5763
Property and deception offencesBurglary/Break and enterBreak and enter dwelling2414
Property and deception offencesBurglary/Break and enterBreak and enter non-dwelling29120
Property and deception offencesArsonArson03
Property and deception offencesMalicious damage to propertyMalicious damage to property9890
Drug offencesDrug use and possessionPossession and/or use of cocaine10
Drug offencesDrug use and possessionPossession and/or use of narcotics12
Drug offencesDrug use and possessionPossession and/or use of cannabis2616
Drug offencesDrug use and possessionPossession and/or use of amphetamines1717
Drug offencesDrug use and possessionPossession and/or use of ecstasy20
Drug offencesDrug use and possessionPossession and/or use of other drugs35
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingDealing, trafficking in cocaine01
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingDealing, trafficking in narcotics00
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingDealing, trafficking in cannabis10
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingDealing, trafficking in amphetamines242
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingDealing, trafficking in ecstasy01
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingDealing, trafficking in other drugs01
Drug offencesCultivate or manufacture drugsCultivating cannabis00
Drug offencesCultivate or manufacture drugsManufacture drug00
Drug offencesDrug dealing and traffickingImporting drugs00
Drug offencesOther drug offencesOther drug offences77
Public order and security offencesDisorderly conductTrespass1412
Public order and security offencesDisorderly conductOffensive conduct1822
Public order and security offencesDisorderly conductOffensive language21
Public order and security offencesDisorderly conductCriminal intent22
Public order and security offencesProhibited and regulated weapons offencesProhibited and regulated weapons offences4937
Other offencesBetting and gaming offencesBetting and gaming offences00
Other offencesLiquor offencesLiquor offences1321
Other offencesPornography offencesPornography offences01
Other offencesProstitution offencesProstitution offences00
Other offencesTransport regulatory offencesTransport regulatory offences116100
Other offencesMiscellaneous offencesMiscellaneous offences4599
Justice procedures offencesAgainst justice proceduresEscape custody11
Justice procedures offencesAgainst justice proceduresBreach Apprehended Violence Order1713
Justice procedures offencesAgainst justice proceduresBreach bail conditions392420
Justice procedures offencesAgainst justice proceduresFail to appear29
Justice procedures offencesAgainst justice proceduresResist or hinder officer1115
Justice procedures offencesAgainst justice proceduresOther offences against justice procedures1313

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

Greater Capital City Statistical Area

Greater Sydney