Windale crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
788 recorded in this period, compared with 759 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Windale
Windale is a suburb located within the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, situated approximately 15 kilometres southwest of the Newcastle central business district. Geographically, it is positioned in a valley surrounded by undulating bushland, with the Pacific Highway providing a primary arterial connection to neighboring suburbs. Demographically, the area is characterized by a high proportion of social and public housing, and it is frequently identified as one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged localities in the Hunter Region, a status that has been the focus of various government and community-led revitalisation initiatives.
Local amenities in Windale are centered around a small commercial precinct on Lake Street, which includes essential retail services, a community centre, and local sporting facilities such as the Windale Gateshead Junior Rugby League Club. The suburb is primarily residential, featuring a mix of mid-20th-century cottages and more recent developments. Educational and community support services play a prominent role in the local infrastructure, reflecting an emphasis on social welfare and community development programs designed to support the local population.
The history of Windale is closely linked to the post-World War II housing boom. The suburb was established in the late 1940s and 1950s by the New South Wales Housing Commission to provide affordable accommodation for the rapidly growing workforce of the nearby industrial and mining sectors in the Hunter Valley. Originally settled as a planned suburban expansion, the area retains its heritage as a working-class residential hub. While it has undergone significant urban renewal efforts over the decades, it remains defined by its foundational purpose as a provider of large-scale public housing in the post-war era.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 120 | 81 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 93 | 99 |
| Malicious damage to property | 90 | 89 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 84 | 71 |
| Steal from retail store | 50 | 64 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 48 | 56 |
| Breach bail conditions | 39 | 33 |
| Fraud | 23 | 17 |
| Steal from dwelling | 23 | 17 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 22 | 16 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 22 | 18 |
| Sexual assault | 19 | 27 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 16 | 10 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 15 | 9 |
| Dealing, trafficking in amphetamines | 14 | 32 |
| Other theft | 13 | 13 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 12 | 17 |
| Other offences | 11 | 4 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 3,421 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.