Lowest number of NSW murders in 30 years due to lockdown
The lowest number of murders was reported in New South Wales in more than 30 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows a sharp decrease in all major crimes in the state.
The COVID-19 lockdown measures influenced the decrease in major crimes, Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said.
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Major crime has dropped significantly in NSW. The Sydney Morning Herald
"Crime fell noticeably during the three-month COVID lockdown but it is hard to say whether the recent low murder count was influenced by the COVID response or not," BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said.
Mr Elliott said all major crimes trended downwards over the past 24 months.
"Crimes including murder, robbery, stealing offences and malicious damage are all down significantly, and in the 24 months to September 2021, none of the 13 major crime categories was trending upwards," Mr Elliott said.
However, the BOCSAR data shows sexual assault has seen a substantial increase over the past year, with at least 7446 incidents reported since September 2020.
Sexual assault has trended upwards by six per cent over the past five years.
Domestic violence-related assaults have also jumped over the past five years, with data showing incidents have increased by 3.3 per cent over that period.
From September 2020 to this year, there were more than 32,000 domestic violence-related assaults.
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NSW Police Minister David Elliott said all of the 13 major crime categories trended downwards. Jessica Hromas
Murder dropped substantially over the last 12 months from September this year, a sharp decrease of 25 per cent.
There were 57 murder victims in NSW between September 2020 and September this year, the lowest number since the statistics began in 1990.
"Over the last 30 years, there has been a significant long-term downward trend in the number of victims of murder," Ms Fitzgerald said.
Mr Elliott said the number of murder victims has decreased by 42 per cent since 1990.
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Other major offences trending downwards over the past 12 months included robbery which was down by 13.6 per cent.
Other stealing offences decreased by 12.8 per cent.
Break and enter offences dropped by 11 per cent.
"The level of property crime in NSW is currently at the lowest level on record," Mr Elliott said.
National Domestic Violence Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).
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