NSW statistics reveal affect pandemic had on crimes in Coffs and Grafton

Latest crime data has revealed Coffs Harbour and Grafton may have bucked a trend, and some of the stats have “surprised” an expert. See why.

Crime statistics over the past year have revealed that Coffs Harbour and Grafton may be bucking a trend.

The impact two Covid-19 lockdowns had on crime appears minimal – as property related offences are the only major crime increase, up 17 per cent from the previous year’s reporting period.

The report from the Bureau of Crime, Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) contains data from April 2021 to March 2022.

BOCSAR data reveals the two year change in Coffs Harbour-Grafton crime data from April 2021 to March 2022. Picture: BOCSAR

Executive Director at BOCSAR Jackie Fitzgerald said the crime data in Coffs Harbour and Grafton “surprisingly” didn’t indicate a significant trend throughout the pandemic – unlike in other parts of NSW.

“While crime decline was generally more modest in the regions than in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Grafton had among the weakest crime decline in the State,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

No increase in domestic violence

Despite fears of a potential spike in domestic violence due to stay-at-home periods, these types of offences were in fact down from 816 to 798.

Her team anticipated lockdowns would affect the rate of domestic crimes.

“Domestic violence was a big concern to us – but we didn’t see that interestingly,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald raised the possibility that these incidents often occur when big families get together – which Covid restricted.

“A lot of domestic violence involves ex-partners, occurring in social situations or in quiet corners of homes,” she said.

She said non-domestic assaults fell “sharply” over the pandemic, then quickly returned to normal.

Ms Fitzgerald said the domestic violence data was “unexpected”.

Executive Director at BOCSAR Jackie Fitzgerald said the crime data in Coffs Harbour and Grafton “surprisingly” didn’t show a significant trend throughout the pandemic, unlike in other parts of NSW.

“Break and enter into dwellings” rose back up to 445 after 354 the previous reporting period, as many homeowners return to work leaving their properties vulnerable to crime.

Drug-related offences are down to 57 from 109 – which may correlate to residents in lockdown while using illicit drugs.

Breaking and entering non dwelling and steal from motor vehicle offences rose by around 35 per cent as people returned to the streets from lockdown.

Ms Fitzgerald said she was “surprised” stealing offences were still so low in 2022 given behaviour patterns in the community had largely returned to normal.

“A number of factors suspected to be keeping property crime low during the pandemic are no longer in play, such as mobility restrictions and access to government stimulus money,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Over three years, domestic violence still remains up by six per cent but the past year indicate this may be shifting.

Another major area the regions are grappling with is sexual assault, which has been up ten per cent over three years.

Past sex offenders in Coffs Harbour include Timothy Moffatt – A “predator” masseur who assaulted 48 female clients and Craig Myles Baker – A psychologist who “abused his position” to prey on young male patients

Ms Fitzgerald predicts property crime may increase over 2022, but said it is “fortunately taking longer than expected”.