Forbes crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,175 recorded in this period, compared with 1,002 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Forbes
Forbes is a rural town and locality situated in the Central West region of New South Wales, within the Forbes Shire local government area (postcode 2871). Located approximately 380 kilometres west of Sydney, the area is positioned on the banks of the Lachlan River and serves as an important agricultural and commercial hub. The surrounding geography is characterised by flat, fertile plains utilized extensively for cropping and livestock grazing. According to the 2021 Australian census, the population of the Forbes significant urban area was approximately 5,500, with a broader shire population exceeding 8,500 residents.
Local life in Forbes is centered around a well-established retail and service sector that supports the surrounding agricultural industries, particularly wheat, wool, and cattle production. The town provides essential community amenities, including schools, health services, sporting facilities, and the historic Forbes District Hospital. Recreational spaces are anchored by Lake Forbes, an oxbow lake of the Lachlan River that winds directly through the town centre, offering parks, walking tracks, and water-based activities. Transport connectivity is maintained via the Newell Highway, linking the locality to major regional and interstate centres.
The area possesses a rich history tied to early European exploration, pastoral expansion, and the 19th-century gold rushes. Originally explored by John Oxley in 1817, the settlement was officially established in the 1860s following the discovery of gold nearby, leading to a rapid population boom. Forbes is notably associated with bushranger history, serving as the operating ground for figures such as Ben Hall, who was shot and killed by police near the town in 1865. Today, Forbes retains much of its 19th-century character, featuring numerous heritage-listed Victorian buildings, wide streets, and preserved civic architecture that reflect its prosperous colonial past.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 106 | 106 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 88 | 60 |
| Breach bail conditions | 87 | 40 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 86 | 78 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 76 | 55 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 71 | 44 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 61 | 33 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 53 | 49 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 46 | 80 |
| Fraud | 44 | 53 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 43 | 42 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 37 | 22 |
| Other theft | 36 | 31 |
| Steal from dwelling | 33 | 51 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 31 | 9 |
| Sexual assault | 25 | 19 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 23 | 25 |
| Other offences | 23 | 11 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 8,157 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.