Eastern suburbs crime: New figures reveal worst areas for thefts

Think your suburb is safe? You might be surprised. Covid has changed how and where criminals operate with stats revealing the safest and most dangerous suburbs in Sydney’s east.

The blue ribbon suburb of Bellevue Hill is the safest in the east according to the latest crime data which shows a whopping 25 per cent drop in the number of thefts over the past two years.

The latest figures from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show Bellevue Hill recorded 116 theft incidents in the year to June 2021 which is a rate of 991 per 100,000 residents.

The figure is less than half the state average rate of theft which sits at 2184 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Conversely, the suburbs of Queens Park and Bondi Junction have the highest rates of theft, with a whopping 988 incidents in the year to June 2021 which is a rate of 7136 per 100,000 people – more than triple the state average.

Police patrolling at Bondi Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Theft covers a range of offences including break and enter, stealing a car, fraud and shoplifting.

Surprisingly, the affluent suburb of Double Bay came in second for the number of thefts with 131 over the same period which works out to a rate of 2572 when compared to the suburb’s relatively small population.

The only other section in the Waverley and Woollahra council areas to experience a rate of theft above the state average was Paddington, which shares a postcode with Centennial Park and Moore Park.

The 2021 postcode had 395 thefts which is a rate of 2312 per 100,000 people over the period.

Bronte and Waverley had the second lowest incidence of theft with 126 incidents – a rate of 1037 per 100,000 people.

Beautiful Bellevue Hill is the safest suburb according to the latest data.

Woollahra also recorded a relatively low instance of theft with just 90 incidents equating to a rate of 1113.

BOCSAR Executive Director, Jackie Fitzgerald, said she eagerly anticipated the next two quarters of data to analyse how the current lockdown had crime data.

“We know from 2020 that stay at home orders interrupt criminal activity and lead to sharp falls in many crimes,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“The impact of the most recent restrictions will be closely monitored in the coming months as NSW residents gradually resume regular activities.”

How safe is your suburb?

Rate = Thefts per 100,000 residents.

Count = number of thefts.

Statistical period = year to June 2021.

NSW average rate: 2184. Source: BOCSAR

Bellevue Hill: Rate 991. Count 116. Down 25.9 per cent.

Bronte/Waverley: Rate 1037. Count 126.

Woollahra: Rate 1113. Count 90.

Dover Heights/Vaucluse/Watsons Bay: Rate 1318. Count 200.

Rose Bay: Rate 1385. Count 148.

Darling Point/Edgecliff/Point Piper: Rate 1483. Count 132. Down 12.6 per cent.

Bondi/Bondi Beach/North Bondi/Tamarama: Rate 2022. Count 742. Down 11.9 per cent.

Paddington/Moore Park/Centennial Park: Rate 2312. Count 395.

Double Bay: Rate 2572. Count 131.

Queens Park/Bondi Junction: Rate 7136. Count 988.