Willoughby LGA crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
4,777 recorded in this period, compared with 4,395 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Willoughby
The City of Willoughby is a local government area located on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, encompassing approximately 23 square kilometres. The region features a landscape of undulating terrain, characterized by significant tracts of bushland and reserves that slope toward Middle Harbour. Demographically, the area is known for its high population density and cultural diversity, with a significant proportion of residents identifying with Chinese, British, and Australian heritage. The LGA serves as a primary residential and commercial hub, balancing established suburban streetscapes with high-density urban development.
The area offers extensive amenities, anchored by the major commercial and retail precinct of Chatswood, which serves as a regional focus for shopping, dining, and professional services. Willoughby is well-integrated into Sydney’s public transport network, providing arterial road and rail access to the Sydney Central Business District. Community infrastructure includes numerous public and private educational institutions, the Zenith Theatre, and an extensive network of recreational parks and sporting facilities that cater to the diverse needs of its residents.
The history of the area is rooted in the traditional lands of the Cammeraygal people, whose presence is commemorated through various local sites and rock art. Following European settlement in the early 19th century, the region transitioned from a timber-getting and agricultural area into a suburban centre, particularly after the arrival of the railway line in the late 1890s. The LGA retains a significant collection of heritage-listed architecture, ranging from Victorian and Federation-era residences to mid-20th-century modernist structures, reflecting the area’s long-standing role as a residential gateway to Sydney.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Transport regulatory offences | 1,471 | 1,330 |
| Steal from retail store | 608 | 471 |
| Fraud | 376 | 371 |
| Breach bail conditions | 349 | 335 |
| Malicious damage to property | 229 | 206 |
| Assault - non-domestic violence | 228 | 192 |
| Other theft | 178 | 190 |
| Harassment threatening | 175 | 185 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 122 | 136 |
| Assault - domestic violence | 114 | 117 |
| Steal from dwelling | 110 | 102 |
| Sexual Offences | 107 | 91 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 97 | 112 |
| Trespass | 97 | 94 |
| Receiving stolen goods | 96 | 77 |
| Possession use of cannabis | 87 | 77 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 76 | 58 |
| Prohibited weapons offences | 66 | 57 |
| Liquor offences | 41 | 11 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 40 | 39 |
| Breach AVO | 35 | 48 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 27 | 24 |
| Offensive conduct | 16 | 24 |
| Steal from person | 16 | 19 |
| Robbery | 10 | 11 |
| Arson | 4 | 8 |
| Offensive language | 2 | 10 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 75,613 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.