Rutherford crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,431 recorded in this period, compared with 1,381 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Rutherford
Rutherford is a major suburb located in the city of Maitland, New South Wales, situated approximately 170 kilometres north of Sydney. Geographically, it occupies a significant portion of the western Maitland urban area, positioned along the New England Highway. Demographically, the suburb serves as a key residential and commercial hub for the region, housing a diverse population that includes both established families and a growing number of residents attracted by its proximity to the Hunter Valley and Maitland’s central business district.
The suburb is characterized by a mix of residential estates and a prominent industrial precinct, which provides significant employment opportunities for the local workforce. Amenities in Rutherford are comprehensive, featuring the Rutherford Marketplace shopping centre, several primary schools, and various recreational facilities, including sports fields and community parks. The area acts as a primary service centre for the western Maitland locality, offering essential retail, health, and commercial services to its residents.
Historically, Rutherford was part of the broader agricultural and rural landscape of the Hunter Valley before transitioning into a suburban centre in the mid-to-late 20th century. While the area has seen rapid modern development, it retains links to the regional history of the Maitland local government area. The suburb’s evolution has been defined by its strategic location on major transport routes, facilitating its growth from a rural fringe into a vital residential and industrial component of the Maitland City Council area.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 143 | 163 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 126 | 128 |
| Fraud | 121 | 96 |
| Steal from retail store | 112 | 39 |
| Malicious damage to property | 108 | 129 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 81 | 118 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 75 | 84 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 67 | 86 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 65 | 63 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 63 | 50 |
| Breach bail conditions | 53 | 65 |
| Other theft | 40 | 17 |
| Sexual assault | 39 | 40 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 33 | 32 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 33 | 27 |
| Transport regulatory offences | 32 | 12 |
| Steal from dwelling | 31 | 23 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 24 | 29 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 13,091 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.