New crime data reveals shocking trends for the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The latest Hunter data is in, from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

Violent offences have remained stable in the years leading up to December 2021, although the five-year trend, does show an almost eight percent reduction in property offences.

The numbers are consistent with the New South Wales average.

The Newcastle-Lake Macquarie area has seen a 10.7 percent fall in cases motor vehicle theft, with a 22.1 fall in the rest of the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley except Newcastle also saw a 8.9 percent fall in break and enter dwelling incidents.

As a ratio to NSW rate of recorded criminal incidents per 100,000 population in the 12 months to December 2021, the Newcastle-Lake Macquarie area saw a slight increase in murder cases.

Overall, there were nine murders in the Hunter, seven of which were in the Newcastle-Lake Macqaurie area. 

In the five years to December 2021, the Hunter Valley except Newcastle saw a 1.7 percent increase in non-criminal domestic violence episodes, compared to a 3.7 percent rise in the Newcastle-Lake Macquarie area.

Looking at individual local government areas in the year to December 2021, Lake Macquarie saw considerable falls in incidents of break and enter dwelling, motor vehicle theft, and steal from motor vehicle.

Maitland saw a decline in incidents of break and enter dwelling, break and enter non-dwelling, and motor vehicle theft. 

Singleton saw a 110 percent rise in incidents of steal from motor vehicle, but a fall in other theft offences, as well as a slight rise in malicious damage to property.

Muswellbrook, however, saw a huge 232.5 percent increase in steal from motor vehicle incidents.

Newcastle and Port Stephens remained stable.

Police Numbers Failing to Keep Up With The Hunter's Growing Population

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Concerns have been raised the number of police officers in the Hunter is failing to keep with the region's growing population.

From 2006 to 2020, the local population covered by the Northern Region Command increased by 20 percent while the number of police declined by five percent.

NSW Police Association Executive for Northern 1, Ian Allwood, says police numbers are at the forefront of the community's mind.

"More people are moving here, we know that, and what we're trying to do is keep pace with that population trend that moves up to our beautiful part of the world," Mr Allwood said.

"Sadly, when more people come, they also bring their issues, and that means that your local cops sadly get stretched."

The Newcastle LGA is currently listed in the top ten across 8 crime categories by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

Mr Allwood says the continued support from the community was helping make the case to get police numbers up.

"What people probably don't understand is that the budgetary allocation to have a police officer at a police station is obviously quite high, and it is a competitive process,"  Mr Allwood said.