Moree Plains LGA crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
3,836 recorded in this period, compared with 3,858 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Moree Plains
The Moree Plains Shire is a large local government area located in the Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes regions of New South Wales, covering approximately 17,900 square kilometres. The landscape is primarily defined by the fertile black-soil plains of the Gwydir and Mehi River systems, which support a robust agricultural economy, particularly in cotton, wheat, and cereal production. The shire has a population of approximately 12,000 residents, with the administrative centre and largest town, Moree, serving as a regional hub for the surrounding rural communities.
Local life in Moree Plains is centred on its status as a primary agricultural service centre and a notable tourist destination, largely due to its significant artesian hot springs. The area features essential public amenities, including comprehensive healthcare services, diverse educational facilities, and various sporting and recreational infrastructure. The economy is heavily influenced by seasonal agricultural cycles, supplemented by geothermal tourism and retail services that cater to the broader regional population.
The history of the region is deeply rooted in the traditional custodianship of the Kamilaroi people, whose cultural heritage remains integral to the area. Following European settlement in the mid-19th century, the township of Moree was established and gazetted in 1862, quickly becoming a central point for the pastoral industry. The shire has evolved from a series of small grazing outposts into a modern agricultural centre, with a history notably marked by the 1965 Freedom Ride, which played a pivotal role in the Australian civil rights movement for Aboriginal Australians.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 644 | 669 |
| Harassment threatening | 428 | 317 |
| Malicious damage to property | 395 | 406 |
| Assault - domestic violence | 312 | 308 |
| Breach AVO | 294 | 239 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 214 | 253 |
| Assault - non-domestic violence | 170 | 150 |
| Steal from retail store | 165 | 198 |
| Trespass | 146 | 212 |
| Fraud | 141 | 117 |
| Prohibited weapons offences | 139 | 131 |
| Arson | 131 | 119 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 89 | 89 |
| Possession use of cannabis | 82 | 66 |
| Sexual Offences | 73 | 56 |
| Steal from dwelling | 73 | 95 |
| Other theft | 67 | 78 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 67 | 35 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 63 | 99 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 57 | 113 |
| Receiving stolen goods | 32 | 31 |
| Offensive conduct | 23 | 21 |
| Liquor offences | 11 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 28 |
| Steal from person | 7 | 11 |
| Offensive language | 6 | 13 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 12,751 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.