South West Rocks crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
390 recorded in this period, compared with 440 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About South West Rocks
South West Rocks is a coastal town in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, situated within the Kempsey Shire local government area (postcode 2431). Located at the mouth of the Macleay River, the town is characterized by its proximity to Trial Bay and its position on a peninsula featuring significant headlands. According to recent census data, the locality maintains a permanent population of approximately 5,000 residents, though it experiences substantial seasonal fluctuations due to its popularity as a tourist destination.
The town serves as a regional hub for outdoor recreation, particularly known for the marine biodiversity of the nearby Solitary Islands and the waters surrounding the Trial Bay Gaol. Local amenities include a range of waterfront accommodations, caravan parks, retail services, and coastal reserves. Historically, the area is significant for the 19th-century Trial Bay Gaol, a state heritage-listed site originally constructed to house prisoners employed in the construction of a breakwater. Additionally, the area gained prominence during World War I as the site of an internment camp for residents of German descent, a legacy that remains a focal point of the local historical narrative.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 31 | 42 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 31 | 13 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 30 | 22 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 28 | 39 |
| Malicious damage to property | 27 | 33 |
| Breach bail conditions | 26 | 23 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 24 | 22 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 24 | 18 |
| Other theft | 23 | 23 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 21 | 15 |
| Other offences | 21 | 12 |
| Steal from dwelling | 18 | 15 |
| Sexual assault | 12 | 10 |
| Fraud | 11 | 28 |
| Steal from retail store | 10 | 19 |
| Trespass | 9 | 10 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 7 | 4 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 6 | 51 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 5,058 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.