Broke crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
30 recorded in this period, compared with 40 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Broke
Broke is a rural locality and village situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, within the Singleton Council local government area (postcode 2330). Located approximately 24 kilometres southwest of Singleton, the area sits in a picturesque valley near the foothills of the Brokenback Range. Geographically, the locality is defined by its fertile alluvial flats along Wollombi Brook, which support a prominent agricultural and viticultural landscape. At the 2021 census, Broke and its surrounding rural catchment recorded a small population, reflecting its status as a quiet, low-density residential and farming community.
The local economy and lifestyle are centered primarily around agriculture, boutique winemaking, and rural tourism. Broke forms part of the broader Hunter Valley wine region, renowned for its vineyards, cellar doors, and olive groves, which attract visitors seeking a quieter alternative to the more commercialized hubs of Pokolbin. Local amenities within the village are modest, typically servicing immediate agricultural and residential needs, while more extensive commercial, educational, and municipal services are accessed in Singleton or Cessnock.
European settlement in the area dates back to the early 19th century, following exploration by John Howe in 1819. Originally known as "The Wollombi," the settlement was later renamed Broke in honor of Sir Philip Broke, a distinguished British Royal Navy officer famous for his command of HMS *Shannon* during the War of 1812. The locality retains several historical touchstones from the colonial era, including nineteenth-century farm homesteads and historic rural infrastructure that reflect its origins as a pastoral and transport thoroughfare.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence related assault | 5 | 3 |
| Fraud | 5 | 2 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 4 | 0 |
| Arson | 3 | 3 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 3 | 5 |
| Trespass | 2 | 0 |
| Breach bail conditions | 1 | 1 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 1 | 2 |
| Malicious damage to property | 1 | 1 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 1 | 9 |
| Other theft | 1 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 1 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 1 | 6 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 557 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.