Wauchope crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
629 recorded in this period, compared with 664 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Wauchope
Wauchope (postcode 2446) is a country town situated on the banks of the Hastings River in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, approximately 19 kilometres inland from Port Macquarie. Governed by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, it serves as a regional service hub for the surrounding hinterland and farming communities. The area is characterized by its proximity to fertile river flats and the nearby Bago State Forest, maintaining a stable population base that reflects a mix of agricultural, retail, and service-oriented demographics.
The town provides a range of essential amenities, including public and private primary and secondary schools, a district hospital, and a retail precinct centered along High Street. Its economy is supported by timber processing, agriculture, and an emerging tourism sector centered on attractions such as the Timbertown heritage theme park. Transport connectivity is facilitated by the Wauchope railway station on the North Coast line, which links the town to Sydney and Brisbane.
Historically, the area was traditional land of the Birpai people. European settlement began in the 1830s, initially driven by the timber industry and subsequently by cattle grazing and dairying. The town was named after Captain Robert Andrew Wauch, an early landholder. Throughout the 20th century, Wauchope developed into a vital centre for the local forestry trade, a heritage that remains a focal point of its cultural identity and museum displays.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 83 | 87 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 56 | 86 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 50 | 64 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 46 | 45 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 38 | 46 |
| Fraud | 34 | 30 |
| Breach bail conditions | 26 | 41 |
| Sexual assault | 22 | 11 |
| Steal from retail store | 21 | 8 |
| Other theft | 20 | 24 |
| Steal from dwelling | 19 | 23 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 18 | 32 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 18 | 16 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 18 | 13 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 17 | 16 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 15 | 9 |
| Liquor offences | 14 | 13 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 14 | 4 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 6,589 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.