Hay LGA crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
258 recorded in this period, compared with 253 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Hay
Hay Shire is a local government area located in the Riverina region of southwestern New South Wales, centered on the town of Hay. Situated on the western plains, the landscape is defined by the Murrumbidgee River, which serves as a vital water source for the region's primary industries of wool production, broadacre cropping, and irrigated agriculture. The area is sparsely populated, characterized by vast, flat pastoral plains and a semi-arid climate.
The town of Hay serves as the administrative and service hub for the shire, providing essential amenities such as healthcare, education, and retail services to the surrounding rural community. Life in the region is heavily influenced by its agricultural heritage and its role as a key transport crossroads for traffic moving between Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne. Local infrastructure reflects the town's history as a prominent inland river port, with the community maintaining various parks and public facilities along the riverbank.
Historically, the region was inhabited by the Nari Nari and Wiradjuri people before European settlement in the mid-19th century. Hay became a significant regional center due to its strategic location on the Murrumbidgee River, thriving as a bustling port for paddle steamers during the river trade era. The town preserves its historical significance through various heritage-listed buildings, museums, and sites that commemorate its development as a pastoral and transit hub, including its unique history as a location for internment camps during the Second World War.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Harassment threatening | 46 | 46 |
| Breach bail conditions | 36 | 29 |
| Malicious damage to property | 19 | 27 |
| Assault - domestic violence | 16 | 13 |
| Fraud | 15 | 8 |
| Possession use of cannabis | 15 | 11 |
| Breach AVO | 14 | 16 |
| Steal from dwelling | 14 | 10 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 12 | 4 |
| Trespass | 11 | 4 |
| Assault - non-domestic violence | 9 | 16 |
| Prohibited weapons offences | 7 | 12 |
| Sexual Offences | 7 | 10 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 7 | 5 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 6 | 2 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6 | 3 |
| Other theft | 6 | 8 |
| Receiving stolen goods | 3 | 4 |
| Liquor offences | 2 | 5 |
| Offensive conduct | 2 | 4 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 2 | 7 |
| Offensive language | 1 | 7 |
| Steal from person | 1 | 0 |
| Steal from retail store | 1 | 2 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 2,882 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.