The crimes happening in your NSW neighbourhood (2024)

Many major crimes in New South Wales dropped dramatically during COVID-19 lockdowns, according to latest statistics which reveal what criminals are up to in your neighbourhood.

In 2021, rates of murder, robbery, burglary and car theft hit lows not seen since 1995, the year NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) started collating data.

Sex offences and non-domestic assault temporarily dipped during the two NSW lockdowns, however both quickly spiked to pre-pandemic levels once restrictions eased.

-- Toggle through tabs at top of the maps to check different crimes

9news.com.au has plotted various crime data into interactive maps of NSW to show where violent and non-violent crimes is taking place across the state.

Newcastle was the murder capital of NSW, according to 2021 data, with five homicides.

Four people were murdered in the City of Sydney LGA and Cumberland and Blacktown, both in Sydney's west.

Blacktown had the most domestic violence incidents, totalling 2154, however the small rural town of Coonamble, on the central-western plains of NSW, had the worst rate of domestic violence, when measured by offences per 100,000 people.

Most sexual assaults last year took place in the Central Coast, Blacktown, City of Sydney, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.

But Coonamble again ranked worst when viewed by rate of offence, followed by its rural neighbour Walgett, Upper Hunter Shire, Armidale and Weddin.

Car thieves were most active in Blacktown, Newcastle, Central Coast, Canterbury-Bankstown and Lake Macquarie.

On average, 1.5 cars were stolen every day in Blacktown.

But a different picture emerged when looking at rates of car theft, with Moree Plains, Lachlan, Kempsey, Forbes and Dubbo ranked the five worst LGAs.

The highest rates of bail breaches were found in Walgett, Moree Plains, Campbelltown, Walcha and Narromine.

BOCSAR statistics revealed property offences fell sharply during lockdowns, a logical outcome of so many NSW residents mandated to remain at home.

Many crimes remain below pre-pandemic levels, even after mobility restrictions lifted.

BOCSAR chief Jackie Fitzgerald said it was not surprising that the huge social upheaval caused by the lockdowns had a flow on effect to criminal activity.

"What was unexpected is that the downward trend was so consistent across offences," she said.

"For those offences that remained low in December 2021, it will be interesting to observe how long it takes for crime rates to return to pre-pandemic levels as NSW residents resume regular activities."

National Domestic Violence Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).