Bell crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
6 recorded in this period, compared with 5 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Bell
Bell is a small locality situated in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, within the City of Lithgow local government area and carrying the postcode 2786. Located approximately 120 kilometres north-west of Sydney, the area is characterized by its rugged mountain terrain, dense native bushland, and a cool temperate climate. Due to its remote and heavily forested setting, Bell has a very small, dispersed residential population and serves primarily as a rural-residential and transitional hub along major transport routes rather than a densely populated settlement.
Local life and amenities in Bell are minimal, reflecting its quiet, semi-remote character. The locality is traversed by the Bells Line of Road—a vital arterial route connecting the Sydney metropolitan area to the Central West of NSW—and is also served by a station on the Main Western railway line. While commercial amenities within Bell itself are extremely limited, residents rely on nearby townships such as Bilpin, Lithgow, or Mount Victoria for broader retail, educational, and medical services. The surrounding environment heavily influences local activity, with the area acting as a gateway to national parks and offering access to surrounding agricultural zones, notably cool-climate fruit orchards.
Historically, Bell developed in the 19th century as European settlers sought viable routes across the formidable Blue Mountains. The locality is named after Archibald Bell, a magistrate and explorer who discovered a practical route for stock and transport across the northern Blue Mountains, which eventually became the basis for the modern Bells Line of Road. The region’s heritage is closely tied to early colonial exploration, transport history, and the arduous engineering feats required to establish road and rail connectivity through the Great Dividing Range.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 2 | 1 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 2 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 1 | 0 |
| Trespass | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 44 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.