E-bike theft on the rise as most crime remains stable

Release date: 18 June 2026

Link to report summary:

• NSW Recorded Crime Statistics quarterly update March 2026
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The latest data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show that most major crime categories in NSW remained stable in the two years to March 2026, with increases confined to retail theft (up 9.1%) and other stealing offences (up 3.1%).

E-bike theft and retail theft push up stealing offences

A key driver of the rise in other stealing offences is the rapid growth in e‑bike theft. Theft of motorised bicycles increased by 27% over the past two years (up 436 incidents, from 1,644 to 2,080 in the year to March 2026), accounting for more than one‑third (37%) of the total increase in other stealing offences where a stolen item was recorded.

“As e‑bikes have become more popular, they have also become more attractive targets for theft,” said BOCSAR Executive Director Jackie Fitzgerald. “Theft of e‑bikes has risen sharply and is now the major contributor to growth in other stealing offences.”

The increase in other stealing offences was concentrated in Greater Sydney (up 5.7%) and remained stable in Regional NSW. Within Sydney, significant increases were observed in the Central Coast (up 18.0%), Eastern Suburbs (up 13.6%), Parramatta (up 10.3%) and the City & Inner South (up 9.6%). Other contributors included theft of copper, which rose 16.3% (up 192 incidents) and accounted for a further 16% of the other stealing increase.

Reported retail theft also continued to rise (up 9.1% over the last two years), driven by increases in theft of liquor (up 13%) and clothing and footwear (up 17%). Licensed premises were the most common target, accounting for 21% of incidents, with liquor making up 40% of retail theft incidents where an item was recorded.

Police enforcement drives rise in adult charges

The latest data also show a sharp rise in adult court proceedings, which increased by 10% over the two years to March 2026 (up 16,218 to 178,038 court actions in the year to March 2026).

Around one-third of this increase was driven by a rise in domestic violence–related charges (up 5,462 to 47,964 charges in the 12 months to March 2026, or up 13%). Increases were also recorded for driving while disqualified (up 5,269 or 30%), retail theft (up 1,272 or 16%), drug possession (up 1,081, or 12%), and weapons offences (up 481 or 14%).

Much of the growth in adult court charges reflects increased enforcement and police proactivity rather than underlying growth in offending. For example, charges for domestic violence assault increased by 13% over the past two years, despite the number of incidents recorded by police remaining stable. 

“We are seeing more proactive policing of domestic violence, with higher legal action rates,” said Jackie Fitzgerald. “The 90‑day legal action rate for domestic violence assault rose from 66% to a record 71% over the past two years, resulting in nearly 2,000 additional court actions.”  

“Increases in offences such as ADVO breaches and domestic violence–related intimidation also point to stronger detection and enforcement by police. Similarly, rises in driving, drug and weapons offences largely reflect increased enforcement activity rather than changes in underlying offending” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Trends in the 13 major crime categories

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