The Rocks (Sydney) crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
344 recorded in this period, compared with 389 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About The Rocks (Sydney)
The Rocks is a historic urban locality situated on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately adjacent to the Sydney Central Business District within the City of Sydney local government area (postcode 2000). Occupying the rocky headland of Sydney Cove, the area is defined by its steep, narrow laneways and proximity to major infrastructure, including the southern approaches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While primarily a commercial and tourist-oriented precinct, it maintains a small resident population housed in a mix of restored heritage terrace homes and contemporary apartment developments.
The area functions as one of Sydney’s primary cultural and tourist hubs, characterized by a high density of preserved 19th-century sandstone warehouses, pubs, and colonial-era cottages. These structures now accommodate an array of galleries, boutiques, upscale dining establishments, and markets, most notably the weekend Rocks Markets. The locality is also home to significant public amenities, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and various heritage walking trails that showcase the precinct's transformation from a maritime shipping hub to a protected historic site.
Established in 1788 as the site of the first British penal colony in Australia, The Rocks served for over a century as a bustling port facility and working-class residential district. Following a period of urban decay and the threat of demolition during the mid-20th century, the area underwent extensive conservation efforts starting in the 1970s, driven by community opposition to redevelopment. Today, it is recognized for its concentration of heritage-listed architecture, serving as a primary site for interpreting early Australian colonial history and the evolution of Sydney’s maritime landscape.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 47 | 53 |
| Other theft | 33 | 34 |
| Liquor offences | 32 | 43 |
| Breach bail conditions | 25 | 11 |
| Malicious damage to property | 25 | 22 |
| Fraud | 18 | 18 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 15 | 23 |
| Other offences | 14 | 16 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 12 | 17 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 11 | 4 |
| Offensive conduct | 11 | 16 |
| Trespass | 9 | 5 |
| Other drug offences | 8 | 5 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 8 | 3 |
| Steal from retail store | 8 | 32 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 7 | 4 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 6 | 7 |
| Sexual assault | 6 | 4 |
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.