That’s the good news to emerge from the latest quarterly data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics (BOCSAR).
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said “proactive policing” had seen four of the major crime categories fall state wide, with the other 12 remaining stable.
“We are continuing to focus on preventing and disrupting crime and as a result we are seeing a positive effect in reducing the fear of crime and in personal safety and security,” Commissioner Fuller said.
On the Central Coast, significant reductions in crime rates were also achieved in break and enter to non-dwellings (down 15 per cent), retail theft (down 10 per cent) and malicious damage to property (down 12 per cent).
While robberies (without a weapon) rose by an alarming 55.9 per cent, most other categories remained stable or fell slightly.
Perhaps the most reassuring statistic was the fall in break and enter (dwellings) by 21.6 per cent, well above the state average drop of 6.5 per cent.
Incidences of theft from retail stores bucked the state trend (up 3.9 perc cent) by recording a 10 per cent drop on the coast.
Parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald said it was pleasing to see some positive preliminary results following the recent restructure of Local Area Commands into Police Districts.
“I’m grateful to all our police officers who work tirelessly and courageously for the community,” Mr MacDonald said.
Terrigal state Liberal MP Adam Crouch said the statistics reflected the tireless efforts of coast police and the cooperation of the Central Coast Community.
“Community safety is of paramount importance – that’s why it’s so reassuring to see the crime rates in our local region trending downwards,” Mr Crouch said.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said the NSW Government was committed to providing local police with the resources they need to protect the community.
And Gosford state Labor MP Liesl Tesch said the pleasing statistics were reflective of the top job being done by coast police.
“Hours are spent reviewing CCV footage and many people are not aware of that,” Ms Tesch said.
“Our police are working had behind the scenes as well as on the streets.”
