Astor Legal research: Most common crimes and where they happen across NSW

New research has revealed the most common crimes across NSW and where they are occurring. Find out the most common crimes in your region.

The top five most common crimes across NSW. Picture: Tom Parrish

The most common crimes across NSW have been revealed.

New research from criminal law firm Astor Legal has broken the state down into local government areas, uncovering the top five most common crimes reported.

The research used data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) over the past five years, noting that crime was higher across regional NSW compared to Sydney.

The most common crime committed in the state was theft at 36 per cent, followed by crimes against justice procedures (16 per cent).

Drug offences only made up seven per cent of the most commonly reported crimes.

Astor Legal’s principal lawyer Avinash Singh said the firm was surprised by the results.

“We were surprised to see that theft was so common. We do not see theft offences anywhere near as often as drug offences,” he said.

Avinash Singh is the principal lawyer of Astor Legal. Picture: Supplied

“This might reflect that most of the theft offences are ‘petty theft’ or stealing offences committed by persons who cannot afford legal representation in court. The majority of ‘theft’ offences that we deal with and specialise in are large-scale fraud and complex white-collar crimes.

“Based on our experience as criminal lawyers, we expected to see the most common offences being domestic violence related. This is the most frequent offence we see people charged with.

“In fact, it is so common that most Local Courts in NSW have specialist domestic violence days every week where all cases involving Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) are listed.”

The research found the least commonly reported crimes were sexual offences, robbery and homicide at 3.4 per cent.

Here are the top five most common crimes committed in every local government area (LGA).

Sydney sits at the top of the table with the highest number of offences – 36,275 incidents, with the most common being breaching bail conditions, non-domestic assault and other theft.

The Blacktown LGA follows closely behind, having 27,542 total incidents. These include breaching bail conditions, fraud, intimidation, stalking and harassment and malicious damage to property.

The LGA with the least amount of offences was the Balranald, Riverina area with only 109 total offences. These included using or possessing cannabis, intimidation, stalking and harassment, and domestic violence.

It comes as data released by the ABS found Sydneysiders are most endangered of a home invasion during the summer months, with December and November topping the charts at 10.8 per cent and 9.4 per cent.

The peak time of day for break ins will surprise you. Picture: Tom Parrish

However, for those thinking burglars only strike at night, alarming figures show that 47 per cent of break ins happen in broad daylight.

“Of course, night time is popular for criminals primarily because people are more likely to be asleep, which reduces the risk of getting caught or seen by homeowners or bystanders, and it’s dark, which makes it easier to hide,” a spokesperson from security company Automatic Technology said.

“On the other hand, it’s more common for homeowners to be away at work during the day than doing something that would take them away from home at night, so statistically, you’re more likely to break into an empty home during the day.

Sydney has the most number of offences out of NSW. Picture: Tom Parrish

“Thieves have also previously posed as cleaners, plumbers, and other service workers to gain entry to homes without arousing suspicion, a tactic that’s much more likely to work in the daytime.”

The spokesperson said summer months saw higher break ins due to windows and doors being left open and providing an easy way in.

“Second, more people tend to go on holiday in the summer, leaving their homes vacant, which makes them easy targets for theft,” the spokesperson said.

The summer months are the time thieves choose to strike. Picture: David Swift

“December is probably the highest out of the three summer months as many Australians celebrate Christmas, meaning thieves know there will be valuable items in the home.”

Burglary statistics per month

1. December – 10.8 per cent

2. November – 9.4 per cent

3. January – 9.2 per cent

4. October – 9 per cent

5. September – 8.7 per cent

6. March – 8.7 per cent

7. February – 8.5 per cent

8. April – 8.3 per cent

9. June – 8.2 per cent

10. August – 8.1 per cent

11. May – 8.1 per cent

12. July – 8 per cent