Shortland crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
330 recorded in this period, compared with 338 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Shortland
Shortland is a residential suburb located in the western reaches of the City of Newcastle in New South Wales. Situated approximately 12 kilometres from the Newcastle central business district, it occupies a position between the Hunter River wetlands and the northern slopes of the Sugarloaf Range. The area is defined by its proximity to the Hunter Wetlands Centre and the expansive Shortland Waters Golf Club, which borders the suburb to the south. Demographically, the locality serves as a significant residential hub for students and staff associated with the nearby University of Newcastle, resulting in a diverse population profile that balances permanent families with a transient academic community.
The suburb functions primarily as a quiet residential enclave, supported by a modest commercial strip along Sandgate Road that provides essential services and retail amenities. Education is a central pillar of local life, with the suburb hosting public primary schooling and serving as a gateway to the university’s Callaghan campus. Historically, Shortland was named in honour of Lieutenant John Shortland, an early explorer of the Hunter region. While the area retains remnants of its mid-20th-century development as a post-war residential expansion of Newcastle, it remains best known today for its ecological significance as a transition zone between the urbanised coastal plain and the protected environments of the Hunter Wetlands National Park.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence related assault | 39 | 30 |
| Malicious damage to property | 35 | 32 |
| Fraud | 31 | 32 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 30 | 34 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 22 | 31 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 21 | 27 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 19 | 18 |
| Sexual assault | 16 | 11 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 12 | 14 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 11 | 17 |
| Breach bail conditions | 10 | 13 |
| Steal from dwelling | 9 | 5 |
| Dealing, trafficking in amphetamines | 8 | 3 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 7 | 3 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 6 | 2 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 6 | 9 |
| Other theft | 5 | 3 |
| Trespass | 5 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 4,537 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.