Caves Beach crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
191 recorded in this period, compared with 147 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Caves Beach
Caves Beach is a coastal suburb located in the City of Lake Macquarie local government area in New South Wales, holding the postcode 2281. Situated on a peninsula bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and Lake Macquarie to the west, the locality is defined by its prominent sandy beaches, coastal headlands, and network of sea caves accessible at low tide. According to the 2021 Australian census, the suburb has a population of approximately 4,800 residents, reflecting a predominantly residential community characterized by low-density housing.
The suburb functions primarily as a residential and recreational area, supported by a local commercial strip containing a supermarket, cafes, and essential services along Caves Beach Road. The namesake beach is a popular regional destination for swimming, surfing, and coastal walking, patrolled during the warmer months by the Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Educational and broader civic amenities are supplemented by neighbouring localities within the wider Lake Macquarie region.
Historically, the area formed part of the traditional lands of the Awabakal people, who utilized the coastal and lake resources for sustenance. European presence in the wider region initially developed around timber-getting, coal mining, and fishing during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The modern suburb of Caves Beach developed progressively as a seaside holiday and residential destination, expanding significantly through post-war suburban growth.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 24 | 19 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 23 | 25 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 18 | 21 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 18 | 3 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 16 | 19 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 16 | 13 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 10 | 6 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 9 | 8 |
| Breach bail conditions | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual assault | 7 | 8 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 7 | 4 |
| Steal from dwelling | 7 | 1 |
| Fraud | 6 | 5 |
| Other theft | 6 | 3 |
| Other offences | 3 | 1 |
| Other offences against the person | 2 | 0 |
| Pornography offences | 2 | 0 |
| Blackmail and extortion | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 4,016 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.