Lord Howe Island crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
9 recorded in this period, compared with 6 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is a small, crescent-shaped volcanic remnant located in the Tasman Sea, approximately 600 kilometres east of mainland Port Macquarie. Administered as an unincorporated area of New South Wales with postcode 2898, the island is the primary locality of the Lord Howe Island local government area. Geographically, it is dominated by the dramatic twin peaks of Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower at its southern end, and supports a permanent population of roughly 400 residents. The island is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, microclimate, and stringent visitor caps designed to protect its fragile endemic ecosystems.
Local life and the island's economy are centered heavily around tourism, high-end hospitality, and environmental conservation. Amenities are intentionally modest to preserve the natural environment, featuring essential community services including a local school, a medical centre, a small museum, and localized retail and accommodation facilities. Transport across the island is primarily by bicycle or walking, reflecting a community-focused lifestyle deeply integrated with the surrounding natural landscape.
Discovered by Europeans in 1788 by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, the island was historically used as an occasional provisioning stop for whaling and trading ships before permanent settlement began in the 1830s. The traditional economy initially relied on supplying passing ships and later shifted to the lucrative export of endemic Kentia palm seeds. In recognition of its outstanding natural beauty, unique evolutionary history, and high concentration of rare endemic flora and fauna, Lord Howe Island was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Other offences | 3 | 0 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 2 | 0 |
| Trespass | 2 | 1 |
| Fraud | 1 | 0 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 1 | 2 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 445 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.