Main Arm crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
47 recorded in this period, compared with 19 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Main Arm
Main Arm is a rural locality situated in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, within the Byron Shire local government area, bearing the postcode 2482. Geographically, the area is characterized by a lush, undulating landscape defined by the foothills of the Nightcap Range and the watershed of the Brunswick River system. The population consists of a relatively small, dispersed community with a demographic profile that leans toward families, retirees, and individuals attracted to the region's natural environment and alternative rural lifestyle.
Local life in Main Arm is centered around community-focused amenities and a strong connection to the surrounding natural environment. The locality is served by the Main Arm Public School, which functions as a key social hub for residents. Commercial and comprehensive urban services are limited within the immediate locality, requiring residents to travel to nearby Mullumbimby or larger regional centres for major retail, healthcare, and professional services. The area supports various small-scale agriculture, horticulture, and creative pursuits.
Historically, the region was traditionally inhabited by the Arakwal people and other Bundjalung Nation groups, who maintained a deep connection to the forested hinterland. European settlement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was primarily driven by the timber industry, which capitalized on the abundant subtropical rainforests, including prized red cedar. Following the depletion of the timber stocks, the land was progressively cleared for dairy farming and agriculture. From the 1970s onward, Main Arm experienced a significant demographic shift with the influx of "alternative lifestyle" settlers, who established intentional communities and championed environmental conservation in the area.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual assault | 11 | 1 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 6 | 1 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 4 | 1 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 4 | 0 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 3 | 1 |
| Arson | 2 | 0 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 2 | 0 |
| Fraud | 2 | 1 |
| Malicious damage to property | 2 | 0 |
| Steal from dwelling | 2 | 0 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 1 | 4 |
| Breach bail conditions | 1 | 0 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 1 | 1 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 1 | 2 |
| Other drug offences | 1 | 0 |
| Other theft | 1 | 1 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 1 | 1 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 640 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.