Parkes crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,585 recorded in this period, compared with 1,663 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Parkes
Parkes is a regional town located in the Central West region of New South Wales, situated approximately 350 kilometres west-northwest of Sydney within the Parkes Shire local government area (postcode 2870). The locality functions as a major agricultural and transport hub for the surrounding wheat and sheep-farming districts. The town and its wider shire support a population of roughly 15,000 residents, anchoring a stable regional community that serves as a commercial center for the surrounding rural localities.
The town provides a comprehensive range of local services and amenities, including primary and secondary schools, a district hospital, and extensive sporting facilities. Economically, Parkes benefits from its strategic position at the intersection of the Newell Highway and the Bogan Gate railway line, further enhanced by the development of the Parkes National Logistics Hub, which connects interstate freight between Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The local economy is underpinned by agriculture, transport, logistics, and emerging renewable energy projects, particularly solar developments in the surrounding region.
Originally established in the 1870s during the Australian gold rushes, the settlement was initially known as Currajong before being renamed in honor of Sir Henry Parkes, the 'Father of Federation'. The town’s rich heritage is preserved in several historic civic buildings and local museums, while its modern identity is globally defined by the Parkes Radio Telescope (colloquially known as "The Dish"), located just outside the town. Operated by the CSIRO, the telescope played a pivotal role in relaying the live television broadcast of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing and inspires the town's annual Parkes Elvis Festival, a major cultural tourism event.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 188 | 196 |
| Breach bail conditions | 138 | 99 |
| Malicious damage to property | 133 | 135 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 113 | 119 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 107 | 111 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 99 | 102 |
| Steal from retail store | 72 | 63 |
| Fraud | 67 | 71 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 64 | 68 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 54 | 52 |
| Steal from dwelling | 49 | 56 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 48 | 49 |
| Trespass | 44 | 72 |
| Other theft | 38 | 25 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 37 | 32 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 36 | 59 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 33 | 51 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 32 | 19 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 11,324 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.