Sydney’s worst suburbs for child stalking and harassment

Multiple Sydney suburbs have been identified as hot spots for strangers stalking and harassing children. And one suburb is the worst. See the full list.

Western Sydney has been found to a be a hotspot for child stalking and harassment.

Four nearby suburbs – Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Penrith and St Marys – feature in the top five worst areas for the number of intimidation, stalking and harassment incidents against children.

NewsLocal has compiled a list of Sydney suburbs with the highest number of intimidation, stalking and harassment incidents against children recorded by police.

That includes creeps approaching children as well as a range of other incidents such as stalking.

Western Sydney was by far the worst region in greater Sydney area

Blacktown ranked top of the unenviable list after 25 incidents were reported or detected by police related to intimidation, stalking or harassment offences against children (non domestic-violence related) in the year to June 2020.

That was followed by Mount Druitt with 24 incidents, Maroubra with 22 incidents, and Penrith with 21 incidents.

Liverpool is in fourth with 20, tied with St Marys.

Kellyville is next with 19, with Bankstown on 18 and Glenmore Park and South Penrith on 17 each.

Police are warning parents ahead of the summer holidays.

“Police encourage parents to discuss the Safe People, Safe Places messages with their children,” a police spokesman said.

Those messages include children making sure parents, or another trusted adult, know where they are at all times.

“Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school.

“If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.”

Other key messages include walking near busy roads and streets, where possible, or using paths where there are plenty of people.

“Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know.

Blacktown had the highest number of incidents. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop,” the spokesman said.

“If someone tries to grab you, yell out.”

For more helpful tips to share with your child click here.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) publish data on criminal incidents reported to, or detected by, police.

BOCSAR’s wide definition for intimidation, stalking and harassment crimes includes “actions that harass or are intended to harass, threaten or invade the privacy of an individual”.

That can involve face-to-face, written or carriage service incidents.