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Release date: 16 September 2025
Link to report summary:
Four offences saw significant declines: break and enter-dwelling (down 10.2%), break and enter non-dwelling (down 3.1%), steal from motor vehicle (down 11.3%), and malicious damage to property (down 6.1%). The remaining seven offences remained stable.
Reports of sexual assault rose by 8.8% over the past two years, continuing a decade-long upward trend averaging 10% growth per year. Since 2015/16, police-recorded sexual assault reports have more than doubled (up 136%), driven by:
Increased reporting from adult victims (47% of the rise),
More historic reporting of child sexual assault (42%),
A rise in contemporary child sexual assault reports (11%).
Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director of BOCSAR, attributes much of the recent increase to improved reporting pathways.
“Since January 2023, victims have been able to report sexual violence to NSW Police via the Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO) - an online, trauma-sensitive portal. SARO has proven very popular, with 1 in 4 sexual assault reports now submitted through this platform,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
SARO reports account for 39% of the overall increase in sexual assault reports over the past decade. In addition, reports directly to police through traditional channels also increased, accounting for 45% of the rise over the past decade.
Although reports for sexual assault have risen, the number of sexual assault charges laid by police has remained relatively stable. As a result, the legal action rate has dropped from 15% in 2014/15 to 9% in 2023/24.
“While this decline may appear concerning, it’s important to understand that SARO reports do not trigger criminal investigations and therefore do not result in charges,” Ms Fitzgerald explained. “SARO is designed to offer victims a more trauma-informed and accessible reporting option, not necessarily to initiate legal proceedings. While SARO is sensitive and victim-centred, it doesn’t necessarily lead to improved outcomes in the criminal justice system.”
Recoded incidents of retail theft rose 5.1% over the past two years, up from 28,114 in 2023/24 to 29,552 in 2024/25. Over the past decade, recorded retail theft incidents increased by nearly 30%, growing at an average rate of 2.9% per year.
Liquor remains the most commonly stolen item, involved in 40% of thefts where an item was recorded. Incidents involving stolen liquor have surged by 141% over the past decade. Licensed premises are the most frequent targets, accounting for 21% of all retail theft incidents.
“Thieves tend to target high-value spirits such as whiskey and bourbon,” said Ms Fitzgerald. “The average value of liquor stolen is $102, reflecting a clear preference for premium products.”
Clothing and footwear ranked second, involved in 24% of retail thefts in 2024/25. This category has more than doubled over the past decade. Shopping complexes are key hotspots, with a median loss of $301 per incident.
Food was the third most stolen item, accounting for 14% of thefts, with supermarkets frequently targeted. The median loss in food-related thefts was $100.
Police laid charges in approximately 40% of retail theft incidents, with the majority of offenders being adults. However, 1 in 7 offenders charged was a young person aged 10 to 17 years.
“While adults make up most of those charged, youth involvement remains a concern,” Ms Fitzgerald said. “There’s a public perception that retail theft is primarily a youth-driven issue, yet the data shows it’s a broader problem affecting a wide range of locations and product types.”
For comment please contact:
Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research.
Phone: +61 423 139 687
Email: jackie.fitzgerald@dcj.nsw.gov.au
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