Sydney crime: spike in CCTV, security installations in homes, businesses amid increase in home invasions
CCTV and home security systems are being installed in big numbers by fearful Sydney home and business owners amid a spike in break-ins and home invasions.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CCTV and home security systems are being installed in big numbers by fearful Sydney home and business owners amid a spike in break-ins and home invasions.
New home crime data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research revealed more than 20,000 incidents of home invasions and break and enters were reported in NSW in the 12 months to March 2024, in a four-year high.
The same data confirmed more than 8000 homes fell victim to break and enter incidents across Greater Sydney in the last financial year.
Glenbrook resident Yasmin Knight and her family were the victims of a break and enter, which saw the theft of thousands of dollars worth of tools, a work truck and keys to their business.
Days later the Knight family moved to install a series of CCTV cameras on the exterior of their home, as well as sensors inside.
“Cameras are vital these days,” Ms Knight told The Sunday Telegraph.
“Not only can it be a deterrent for would-be crims scoping out homes for their next hit, the footage is so helpful in the aftermath, from helping police catch them to insurance covering losses.
“We have them installed in the house, and our business in Penrith.”
Penrith Security Systems and Protech Locksmiths boss Paul Knoke said his business has seen a significant spike in interest for CCTV systems to be installed in homes across Western Sydney, “particularly over the last 18 months”.
“The threat of home invasions and break and enters is front of mind for homeowners,” he said. “We have a situation where property owners want perimeter protection, they want to be alerted, they want vision and lights and sirens.
“One of our customers experienced a break and enter herself and called us immediately after it happened to fit her (new) house out with CCTV.
“When she finished construction on her new home, she called us up straight away for that security and assurance – it is vital these days.”
Mr Knoke said his system has caught offenders “red handed” in a series of home invasions and youth crime incidents across Greater Sydney, which assisted police.
A Sunday Telegraph survey of 50 streets across Greater Sydney uncovered the wide use of CCTV in the Eastern suburbs of Point Piper and Watsons Bay, as well as pockets in Emu Plains, Penrith, Regentville and Glenbrook in the city’s west.
Approximately 40 per cent of houses in streets surveyed in Point Piper and Watsons Bay featured surveillance devices.
One street was found to have about 80 per cent of homes featuring some kind of camera system.
In the Western Sydney streets surveyed, about 40 per cent of homes had security cameras, ranging from professional installations to DIY systems such as RING doorbell and light cameras. In the city’s south however, as few as 15 per cent of homes surveyed in streets in Bexley had CCTV.
Hurstville resident Alex Saikaly has spent upwards of $60,000 for the installation of 30 cameras.
“It is for our own safety, for the safety and protection of my property,” he said.
Mr Saikaly says the main benefit of the security comes in the form of a deterrent to would-be criminals, but revealed his cameras have been relied upon for police investigations several times.
The City of Sydney has 100 CCTV cameras monitored across the city in a 24-hour operations hub.
A council spokesman said street safety cameras have been installed in certain parts of to city to “assist NSW Police in the detection, prevention and prosecution of certain crimes”.
“Police can request CCTV images captured by our cameras to help them investigate and prosecute crimes and keep our community safe,” he said.
A police spokeswoman said similar agreements are in place with Transport for NSW and Sutherland and Parramatta Councils. Licensed premises like pubs and clubs are required to have CCTV.
Originally published as Sydney crime: spike in CCTV, security installations in homes, businesses amid increase in home invasions
‘No wonder nothing gets done’: NSW unleashes over flowchart fail
The state is overwhelmingly frustrated by the “snakes-and-ladders” complexity of the planning process that is worsening the state’s housing crisis. Take our poll, should there be an overhaul?
Council defies Supreme Court, green lights climate protest pests
Climate protesters planning to blockade the Port of Newcastle next week have been given a permit by Newcastle council, despite a ruling from the Supreme Court deeming the protest prohibited.
Police seize vehicle in trailer death investigation
A young woman has died after she was reportedly hit by a car trailer in the Northern Tablelands. Police have seized a vehicle as investigations continue.
‘Poison puff’: How new-look cigs could spark black market rush
Manufacturers have until April 2025 to give cigarettes a new look, in order for them to be sold in Australia. However, insiders believe the move will only push smokers to black market tobacco.
The pond linked to Sydney’s mosquito explosion
Sydneysiders are taking to social media to vent their frustration at the mosquito plague that has residents in the southwest at their wits end. As the search term ‘Sydney mosquitos’ trends this is the pond that started it all.
Even Rubik’s Cube genius couldn’t solve this Sydney problem
Many who have repeatedly tried to solve the Rubik’s Cube (and repeatedly failed) may have wished for a way to get their revenge on Erno. Well, we in NSW have just the thing.