Sydney crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
8,638 recorded in this period, compared with 8,465 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Sydney
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and the primary locality within the City of Sydney local government area (postcode 2000), comprises the city's central business district and its immediate surrounds. Situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour, the area is characterized by a high-density urban landscape featuring a mix of commercial skyscrapers, historic stone structures, and reclaimed waterfront precincts. Demographically, the locality is a major economic hub, hosting a diverse, transient population of professionals and international students, supported by a significant residential density concentrated in high-rise apartments.
The area functions as the state’s primary cultural and commercial center, offering extensive amenities including major tertiary institutions, government headquarters, and cultural venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the State Library of New South Wales. It serves as a major transportation nexus, anchored by the central railway station and an integrated network of light rail, bus, and ferry services. Beyond its professional infrastructure, the locality includes prominent public spaces such as the Royal Botanic Garden and Hyde Park, which provide significant recreational areas within the urban core.
Historically, the area marks the site of the first British colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove. The locality retains a rich heritage reflected in its preserved 19th-century architecture, particularly within the historic Rocks district and the various Victorian-era buildings dispersed throughout the CBD. This historical significance is balanced by modern urban development, creating a cityscape that juxtaposes colonial-era sandstone edifices with contemporary glass-and-steel architecture, documenting the city's evolution from a penal settlement to a global financial capital.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Steal from retail store | 1,360 | 1,295 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 895 | 823 |
| Other theft | 781 | 703 |
| Fraud | 456 | 414 |
| Breach bail conditions | 455 | 474 |
| Transport regulatory offences | 455 | 546 |
| Malicious damage to property | 432 | 391 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 396 | 328 |
| Other offences | 323 | 343 |
| Liquor offences | 298 | 343 |
| Trespass | 261 | 233 |
| Offensive conduct | 250 | 221 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 248 | 204 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 183 | 170 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 181 | 186 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 177 | 172 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 137 | 124 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 135 | 132 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 16,667 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.