Bemboka crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
30 recorded in this period, compared with 27 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Bemboka
Bemboka is a rural locality situated in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in the South Coast region of New South Wales, administered by the Bega Valley Shire council area within the 2550 postcode. The geographic landscape is defined by undulating pastoral country, rolling green hills, and proximity to the Bemboka River and the coastal escarpment. Demographically, Bemboka supports a small, tight-knit residential and farming population, characterized by a quiet rural lifestyle and low population density typical of the hinterland region behind the Sapphire Coast.
Local life in Bemboka centers around primary agricultural pursuits, predominantly dairy and beef cattle farming, as well as forestry and local trades. The community amenities are modest, featuring a local general store, a public primary school, community halls, and sporting facilities that serve as focal points for social gatherings. Positioned along the Snowy Mountains Highway, the locality acts as a transitional stop for travelers moving between the inland tablelands and the coastal towns of Bega and Merimbula.
European settlement in the area dates back to the mid-19th century, when the fertile river valleys were first cleared and claimed for pastoral runs and agricultural production. Originally known as Greendale, the town was officially named Bemboka in the late 19th century, derived from an Aboriginal word believed to mean "plenty of water" or "barked trees." The locality retains a distinct historical character, evidenced by 19th-century homesteads, rural infrastructure, and a heritage-listed suspension bridge that spans the Bemboka River, reflecting its past as an important regional coaching and transport route.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 3 | 4 |
| Malicious damage to property | 3 | 3 |
| Possession and/or use of other drugs | 3 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 3 | 1 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 2 | 0 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 2 | 0 |
| Other offences | 2 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 2 | 0 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 1 | 6 |
| Breach bail conditions | 1 | 0 |
| Dealing, trafficking in amphetamines | 1 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 1 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of narcotics | 1 | 0 |
| Steal from dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 1 | 1 |
| Steal from person | 1 | 0 |
| Steal from retail store | 1 | 0 |
| Trespass | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 589 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.