Bateau Bay crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
915 recorded in this period, compared with 746 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Bateau Bay
Bateau Bay is a coastal residential suburb located in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, within the Central Coast Council local government area and bearing the postcode 2261. Situated approximately 10 kilometres south-east of the regional centre of Wyong and bounded by the Tasman Sea to the east, the locality is characterised by its beaches, headlands, and proximity to Wyrrabalong National Park. The demographic profile is predominantly residential and family-oriented, featuring a mix of permanent households and holiday properties drawn to the area's coastal environment.
Local life in Bateau Bay centres around outdoor recreation, retail, and community amenities. The suburb features Bateau Bay Beach and Shelly Beach, which are utilised for surfing, swimming, and fishing, alongside walking tracks within the coastal sections of Wyrrabalong National Park that offer panoramic ocean views. Commercial needs are primarily serviced by Bateau Bay Square (formerly known as Erina Fair's smaller regional counterpart, Bay Village), which functions as a major retail hub for the surrounding community, complemented by local neighbourhood shops, schools, and sporting facilities.
European settlement in the area began in the 19th century, with the land initially utilised for timber-getting, agriculture, and fishing before gradual subdivision for residential development. The name "Bateau Bay" is historically associated with French fishermen who reportedly frequented the sheltered waters in the 19th century ("bateau" being the French word for boat). Over the latter half of the 20th century, the suburb transitioned from a quiet holiday destination into a permanently populated residential area concurrent with the broader urban growth of the Central Coast.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 102 | 86 |
| Malicious damage to property | 101 | 88 |
| Fraud | 81 | 71 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 73 | 44 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 68 | 57 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 67 | 34 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 56 | 51 |
| Steal from retail store | 44 | 36 |
| Breach bail conditions | 39 | 47 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 33 | 20 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 29 | 21 |
| Steal from dwelling | 24 | 20 |
| Sexual assault | 22 | 17 |
| Other theft | 21 | 31 |
| Trespass | 18 | 13 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 16 | 6 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 15 | 14 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 15 | 10 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 12,516 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.