Waitara crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
235 recorded in this period, compared with 189 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Waitara
Waitara is a suburb located on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, within the Hornsby Shire local government area. Situated approximately 20 kilometres northwest of the Sydney central business district, the suburb is primarily residential, characterized by a mix of low-density housing and increasing medium-density apartment developments. As of the 2021 Census, Waitara maintains a diverse demographic profile, supported by its convenient proximity to the Hornsby major commercial centre and its position along the North Shore & Western Line.
The suburb is well-served by public infrastructure, most notably the Waitara railway station, which provides frequent commuter links to the Sydney CBD and the Central Coast. Local amenities include the extensive Waitara Park, which features recreational facilities such as tennis courts and playgrounds, and the nearby PCYC Hornsby/Kuring-gai. Waitara is also recognized as a significant educational hub, hosting both Waitara Public School and the prestigious Barker College, a large independent K–12 school that serves as a prominent landmark in the area.
Historically, the area was part of the land originally inhabited by the Darug people. European settlement began in the late 19th century, with the name "Waitara" adopted from a Maori word meaning "heaped up water" or "mountain stream," following a visit to the region by the Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey. While the suburb was once part of a broader agricultural and orchard district, the arrival of the railway in the 1890s facilitated its transition into a suburban commuter locality. Today, the area retains several heritage-listed properties and sites that reflect its development throughout the 20th century.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud | 41 | 24 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 22 | 8 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 21 | 10 |
| Transport regulatory offences | 20 | 12 |
| Steal from dwelling | 19 | 29 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 17 | 9 |
| Malicious damage to property | 15 | 16 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 8 | 14 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 8 | 9 |
| Other theft | 7 | 10 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 5 | 3 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 5 | 2 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 4 | 3 |
| Breach bail conditions | 4 | 2 |
| Other drug offences | 4 | 1 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 4 | 5 |
| Trespass | 4 | 3 |
| Possession and/or use of other drugs | 3 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 7,837 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.