Heathcote crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
163 recorded in this period, compared with 209 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Heathcote
Heathcote is a residential suburb located in southern Sydney, New South Wales, within the Sutherland Shire local government area (postcode 2233). Situated approximately 38 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, the locality is bounded almost entirely by the protected bushland of the Royal National Park to the east and Heathcote National Park to the west. This geographical positioning makes it a distinct bushland gateway, characterised by steep sandstone gullies, native eucalyptus forests, and a quiet suburban footprint. Demographically, it is home to a population of several thousand residents, largely consisting of families and older couples residing in detached residential housing.
Local life and amenities in Heathcote are centered along the Princes Highway and the Illawarra railway line, which bisect the suburb. The local commercial strip provides essential retail services, including supermarkets, cafes, and specialty shops to serve the immediate community. Public transport connectivity is facilitated by Heathcote railway station, offering regular train services north toward Sydney and south to Wollongong. The suburb also features local sporting ovals, parks, and community facilities, while its surrounding national parks provide extensive opportunities for bushwalking, camping, and outdoor recreation.
Historically, the area was traditionally inhabited by the Dharawal people before European exploration and settlement. The development of Heathcote as a settlement was significantly accelerated by the extension of the railway line in the late 19th century, which initially served timber-getters and later facilitated recreational visitors to the surrounding natural areas. Throughout the 20th century, the suburb evolved from a small railway and bush outpost into a permanent residential community, retaining much of its historic connection to the surrounding bushland reserves while integrating into the broader metropolitan expansion of southern Sydney.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud | 28 | 42 |
| Malicious damage to property | 17 | 22 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 12 | 10 |
| Transport regulatory offences | 10 | 17 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 9 | 8 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 7 | 3 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 7 | 14 |
| Steal from dwelling | 7 | 2 |
| Liquor offences | 6 | 4 |
| Pornography offences | 6 | 1 |
| Other theft | 5 | 8 |
| Trespass | 5 | 11 |
| Criminal intent | 4 | 2 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 4 | 9 |
| Sexual assault | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 4 | 6 |
| Steal from retail store | 4 | 6 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 3 | 4 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 6,148 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.