Batemans Bay crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
636 recorded in this period, compared with 750 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Batemans Bay
Batemans Bay is a coastal town located in the Eurobodalla Shire on the South Coast of New South Wales, carrying the postcode 2536. Situated roughly 280 kilometres south-southeast of Sydney and 150 kilometres east of Canberra, the locality is positioned at the estuary of the Clyde River where it meets the Tasman Sea. The surrounding geography is defined by extensive sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and surrounding national parks. According to the 2021 Australian census, the urban centre and its immediate surrounds support a permanent population of approximately 11,500 residents, which experiences significant seasonal influxes of holidaymakers and tourists.
The local economy is heavily anchored by tourism, retail, commercial fishing—particularly renowned for local aquaculture such as Clyde River oysters—and service industries catering to a large retirement demographic. Essential amenities include the Batemans Bay Hospital, various commercial and retail shopping precincts, and educational facilities ranging from primary schools to a campus of TAFE NSW. The Princes Highway serves as the primary transport corridor connecting the town north to Nowra and Wollongong, and south to Moruya and Narooma, while regional bus services link the area to major metropolitan centres.
Prior to European settlement, the area was traditional land of the Yuin Nation, who utilized the rich marine and river resources of the Clyde River estuary, known locally as *Bega*. The waterway was charted and named in 1797 by Lieutenant-Colonel William Paterson in honour of tax commissioner Nathaniel Bateman. European presence expanded during the 19th century, driven by timber-getting, shipbuilding, and gold mining in the surrounding region. Over subsequent decades, the locality transitioned from a maritime and industrial hub into one of the South Coast's premier holiday destinations.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 64 | 67 |
| Steal from retail store | 57 | 56 |
| Fraud | 50 | 42 |
| Malicious damage to property | 50 | 60 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 46 | 54 |
| Trespass | 42 | 76 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 30 | 47 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 29 | 28 |
| Other theft | 29 | 31 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 27 | 31 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 23 | 20 |
| Steal from dwelling | 20 | 17 |
| Other offences | 15 | 30 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 15 | 20 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 14 | 4 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 13 | 16 |
| Sexual assault | 12 | 7 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 12 | 21 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,573 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.