Byron Bay crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,344 recorded in this period, compared with 1,523 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a coastal town located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, situated within the Byron Local Government Area (postcode 2481). Centred around Cape Byron, the easternmost point of the Australian mainland, the locality is characterised by sweeping beaches, rocky headlands, and a hinterland dominated by the remnants of the Tweed Volcano. According to the 2021 Australian census, the town and its immediate surrounds support a permanent population of approximately 6,000 residents, though this figure swells significantly during peak tourism periods due to high volumes of domestic and international visitors.
The local economy and daily life are heavily shaped by tourism, retail, and hospitality, alongside a growing emphasis on wellness, arts, and environmentalism. The town centre features a range of commercial amenities, including boutique retail stores, cafes, and restaurants that cater to both residents and tourists. Educational services, healthcare facilities, and community infrastructure are distributed throughout the Byron Shire to service the dispersed population. While traditional industries such as dairy farming and whaling historically underpinned the regional economy, contemporary local life is centered on coastal recreation, surfing, and the service sector.
Prior to European settlement, the Byron Bay area was the traditional home of the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation, who refer to the area as Cavanbah, meaning "meeting place." European presence began with cedar getters in the early 1870s, followed by the establishment of a port, a freezing works, and a whaling station, which operated until the 1960s. The town was named after Captain John Byron, an ancestor of the poet Lord Byron, by explorer James Cook when he sighted Cape Byron in 1770. In the late 20th century, the area underwent a significant cultural shift, transitioning from an industrial and agricultural hub into a prominent counter-culture destination and, ultimately, an affluent tourism and residential centre.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 142 | 134 |
| Other theft | 138 | 140 |
| Malicious damage to property | 99 | 127 |
| Breach bail conditions | 97 | 109 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 79 | 72 |
| Fraud | 78 | 86 |
| Steal from retail store | 76 | 117 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 59 | 92 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 55 | 49 |
| Liquor offences | 47 | 36 |
| Trespass | 37 | 38 |
| Sexual assault | 32 | 19 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 31 | 54 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 31 | 33 |
| Offensive conduct | 31 | 33 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 30 | 43 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 30 | 46 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 30 | 22 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 6,330 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.