Forster crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,602 recorded in this period, compared with 1,432 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Forster
Forster is a coastal town located in the Mid-Coast Council local government area of New South Wales, within the postcode 2428. Situated approximately 300 kilometres north of Sydney on the Mid North Coast, it sits on the southern side of the entrance to Wallis Lake, directly opposite the twin town of Tuncurry. According to the 2021 Australian census, Forster recorded a resident population of over 22,000 people, which significantly increases during peak holiday periods due to tourism.
The local economy and lifestyle are heavily defined by its coastal geography, featuring extensive waterways, estuary systems, and prominent surf beaches such as One Mile Beach and Bennetts Head. Forster functions as a major commercial and retail hub for the surrounding region, offering a range of educational, healthcare, and sporting facilities. Fishing, particularly the cultivation of Wallis Lake rock oysters, and tourism are foundational industries supporting the local community.
Prior to European settlement, the area was traditional land of the Worimi Aboriginal people, who utilized the abundant marine and terrestrial resources of the Wallis Lake system. The town was surveyed in the mid-19th century and named in honour of William Forster, a former Premier of New South Wales. Early European industries centered on timber-getting, particularly red cedar, before transitioning to agriculture, dairy farming, and commercial fishing.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 218 | 163 |
| Malicious damage to property | 134 | 97 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 114 | 131 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 106 | 97 |
| Fraud | 106 | 104 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 89 | 64 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 86 | 93 |
| Other theft | 83 | 82 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 74 | 60 |
| Steal from retail store | 66 | 44 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 63 | 29 |
| Other offences | 55 | 77 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 49 | 46 |
| Steal from dwelling | 47 | 46 |
| Trespass | 39 | 42 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 30 | 27 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 26 | 43 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 26 | 12 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 14,187 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.