Dapto crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
920 recorded in this period, compared with 933 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Dapto
Dapto is a residential and commercial suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, situated approximately 12 kilometres south-west of Wollongong within the City of Wollongong local government area (Postcode 2530). Geographically, the locality sits on the coastal plain near the western shores of Lake Illawarra. According to the 2021 census, Dapto and its surrounding urban release areas support a diverse and growing population, functioning as a major southern hub for the greater Wollongong metropolitan area.
The commercial heart of Dapto is centred around the Dapto Mall and the Princes Highway, providing residents with a comprehensive range of retail, banking, and professional services. The suburb is well-connected by transport infrastructure, featuring the Dapto railway station on the South Coast line, which offers regular commuter services to Wollongong and Sydney. Local amenities include several public and private schools, sports fields, and recreational parks, with proximity to Lake Illawarra facilitating water-based activities.
Historically, the Dapto area was traditionally inhabited by the Wadi Wadi people before European settlement in the early 19th century. Originally established as an agricultural and dairy farming community, the town's development was significantly accelerated by the opening of the Illawarra railway line in the late 1880s and the establishment of local smelting operations. Heritage sites, such as the historic Beaton Park and various nineteenth-century buildings, reflect its transition from a rural township into a bustling modern suburb.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Transport regulatory offences | 116 | 89 |
| Steal from retail store | 83 | 148 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 78 | 62 |
| Malicious damage to property | 75 | 73 |
| Fraud | 53 | 41 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 51 | 24 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 51 | 47 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 50 | 45 |
| Other theft | 36 | 25 |
| Trespass | 35 | 50 |
| Breach bail conditions | 33 | 40 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 31 | 50 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 28 | 22 |
| Sexual assault | 22 | 24 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 19 | 17 |
| Other offences | 17 | 11 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 13 | 21 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 13 | 17 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 10,954 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.