BOCSAR data shows NSW LGAs with most shopping centre offences, worst crime rates per population

The industry group representing shopping centre owners, managers and developers has cheered the introduction of new laws to combat worrying knife crime as overall offences continue to climb in retail settings.

The national industry group representing shopping centre owners, managers and developers has applauded the introduction of new laws to combat concerning knife crime statewide.

It comes as NewsLocal has delved into the most recent NSW data to determine the worst local government area for crimes across retail centres.

Dubbo in the Orana Region fared the worse when it came to the overall number of assaults, robberies, thefts, incidences of malicious damage and stalking, harassment and intimidation in retail centres through 2023 at 569 offences.

But Moree Plains Shire in the North West Slopes had the worst retail-related crime rate per 100,000 population at 262.3 in 2023, compared to Dubbo’s rate of 147.7, and the statewide rate of 56.2. Moree recorded 198 of the reported offences.

Moree had the worst rate per population in both 2021 and 2023. Showing what a difference a couple of years can make, Lismore had the second worst rate in 2021, but the lowest crime rate of the areas of concern come 2023.

In Dubbo, 337 thefts were recorded.

Overall, regional LGAs fare worse when it came to retail centre crime than metro areas, Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures show.

Meanwhile, crime across the state’s shopping centres continues to climb.

Retail premises across the state had 4551 counts of assault, 297 counts of robbery, 50,294 counts of theft, 3172 counts of malicious damage to property, and 2771 counts of intimidation, stalking and harassment recorded in 2023.

In 2021, retail premises had 3734 assaults, 295 robberies, 35,827 thefts, 3136 incidences of malicious damage to property, and 2441 intimidation, stalking and harassment offences.

Below is a chart comparing the LGAs most affected by shopping centre related crime between 2021 to 2023.

The Minns Labor government on Wednesday revealed NSW Police would be able to use new knife crime legislation to seize knives and other illicit items.

Legislation introduced to parliament gives police the power to use metal-detecting “wands” to scan people for knives in public places, like retail districts, where knife crime or a “serious indictable offence involving violence” has occurred in the past year.

Premier Chris Minns at NSW Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Police will be able to scan people, without a warrant, in areas designated by a senior officer.

The public can be asked to turn out their pockets if the wands ‘ping’ a weapon or other item of concern, Premier Chris Minns confirmed.

The changes follow Queensland legislation, Jack’s Law, brought in following the fatal stabbing of Jack Beasley, 17, during a night out with mates at Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast in 2019.

Michael Stewart and Kerri-Lyn Stewart of the Balin Stewart Foundation and Belinda Beasley and Brett Beasley of the Jack Beasley Foundation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

Parents Brett and Belinda Beasley pushed hard to give police the ability to wand for knives.

They have been joined by Balin Stewart’s parents Michael Stewart and Kerri-Lyn Stewart.

Their 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death on the Sunshine Coast in 2020.

In April, it was reported Queensland Police had undertaken 4100 wanding operations and that 51,000 people had been scanned across the state, resulting in the seizure of more than 500 weapons.

Almost 1370 people were picked up on almost 2470 charges relating to weapons, drugs, bail or other offences.

Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) chief executive. Angus Nardi said NSW’s new wanding crackdown was a “positive” step forward.

Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) chief executive Angus Nardi.

He said the move “highlights the need to ensure that industry and governments are working closely on these issues”.

“With retail crime including the use of knives on the rise we are working closely with governments to ensure the right policy framework is in place to best deter and deal with offenders, particularly repeat offenders,” he said.

Mr Nardi said community safety and the security of businesses was a “priority” and taken “very seriously”, especially considering retail centres were well-attended by vulnerable individuals like children.

“We have mature security arrangements in relation to relevant risks, dedicated teams and staff who undertake their roles with care, compassion and duty.” he said.

“We also work closely with the National Retail Association (NRA) and their longstanding Retail Crime Committee to share insights and engage directly with police on operational issues.”

Shopping generic

The NRA previously said $9 billion was lost each year due to theft (shoplifting) – and that it was believed only 20 per cent of retail crimes were ever reported to police.

Lendlease Australia, which has a large portfolio of shopping centres, echoed Mr Nardi and said the safety and wellbeing of the public was paramount.

A spokesperson assured: “Our retail centres in NSW have comprehensive security management in place, including entrance and in-centre CCTV surveillance and regular security patrols seven days a week.”

“Our centre management teams work closely with NSW Police to support safety within our local communities and provide assistance where needed,” they added.

NSW Police also weighed in and a spokesman said officers “conduct regular operations targeting anti-social behaviour and suspicious or criminal activity”.

Districts also run “high-visibility operations to target recidivist and opportunistic offenders”.

“Officers work closely with shopping centre management, loss prevention officers and other relevant stakeholders to run proactive operations, which occur regularly throughout the calendar year across the state,” the police spokesman added.

CM EOYFS shopping stats generic

When it comes to theft, shoppers were urged to take certain precautions to reduce risk:

– Be mindful of your handbags, wallets and purses.

– Always keep your bag zipped up.

– Keep cash and valuables in your bag to a minimum. – Do not leave prams and trolleys unattended.

– Be alert – especially at ATMs.

– Avoid carrying large sums of cash.

– Don’t put your bag on top of your car while unloading shopping.

Police asked anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour, suspicious or criminal activity in retail centres to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or triple-0 in an emergency.