Worst suburbs in NSW for people ignoring Covid restrictions |Full list

With Covid again detected in Sydney, new statistics reveal which areas of the state are not following safety regulations to stop the spread of the disease, with one hard hit area ranking high up the list.

The worst areas for people ignoring Covid restrictions across NSW have been revealed, following the release of new crime data.

Police have been tasked with cracking down on Covid-related breaches since March last year, handing out fines and court notices.

However, new data reveals the extent of how many people continue to ignore and flout the safety rules and regulations put in place by the State Government.

A NSW Transport worker handing out free face masks for commuters at Town Hall. Picture: Joel Carrett

The figures show between March 2020 and March 2021, almost 3000 people were fined or given a court attendance notice by police for Covid-related breaches across the state.

Meanwhile, more than 600 people aged between 10 and 17 were given an official caution by police.

The worst areas for people ignoring the restrictions and being dealt with by police included Blacktown (374 breaches), City of Sydney (250 breaches) and Canterbury-Bankstown (241 breaches).

Alarmingly, Waverley LGA in Sydney’s eastern suburbs – which is at the centre of the latest Covid outbreak – also recorded an unenviable record.

Police patrol the Sydney Fish Markets during the height of the pandemic to enforce health orders. Picture: Brook Mitchell

Waverley has the worst “rate” of people flouting the rules in Sydney according to the statistics.

The “rate” is determined by the number of breaches in any given area compared with the size of its population.

Waverley’s rate was calculated as 135 people breaching the rules out of every 100,000 population, which was higher than any other area in Sydney.

Following the latest outbreak of Covid-19 in the eastern suburbs this week, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned people to pay strict attention and obey any Covid safety orders.

“There is no room for complacency,” he said.

“Being slack about what the health authorities ask you to do is just inexcusable. We have to make sure we all follow the rules.”

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys and NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard (right) at a press conference on Thursday. Picture: Dylan Coker

The most common age bracket for people breaching Covid safety rules, which police took action on, were people aged between 18 and 29.

A huge number (more than 1300 people) were dealt with by police during the first three months of 2021 compared to over 2300 people fined, charged or cautioned for breaches during 2020.

Breakdown by month of number of people dealt with by police including by fine or court notice.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) releases information on crime statistics including persons proceeded against by police for a Covid-related breach.

Worst areas for people ignoring Covid restrictions (resulting in a fine, court notice or caution for a young person) between March 2020 and March 2021:

1. Blacktown: 374 breaches

2. City of Sydney: 250 breaches

3. Canterbury-Bankstown: 241 breaches

4. Sutherland Shire: 167 breaches

5. Penrith: 151 breaches

6. Liverpool: 124 breaches

7. Cumberland: 114 breaches

8. Campbelltown: 114 breaches

9. Fairfield: 104 breaches

10. Central Coast: 93 breaches

11. Inner West: 89 breaches

12. Waverley: 89 breaches

13. Northern Beaches: 88 breaches

14. Parramatta: 76 breaches

15. Bayside: 74 breaches

16. Randwick: 71 breaches

Worst area for rate of breaches considering size of population:

1. Temora (13 breaches)

2. Cobar (9 breaches)

3. Gilgandra (8 breaches)

4. Coonamble (6 breaches)

5. Walgett (7 breaches)

6. Waverley (89 breaches)