Higher crime rate in Woy Woy than in Umina-Ettalong

Crime statistics released in December have shown a higher incident rate across a range of offences in the 2256 postcode area than in the 2257 postcode area in the two years to September.

The figures for the 2257 postcode, which covers Umina and Ettalong, were often well below the State and regional averages, while the 2256 figures which include Woy Woy were often close to or above these averages.

However, the rates in both areas were well below those for the Sydney 2000 postcode area, which was often several times greater.

Incident rates for both local areas generally dropped significantly in the past 12 months.

The new recorded crime statistics from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showed many major offences across the state were lower in the third quarter last year compared with historic norms.

Bureau executive director Ms Jackie Fitzgerald said: "All high volume property and many violent crimes fell sharply in April 2020 in line with measures to reduce the spread of the pandemic.

"Since then offending has increased, but in most cases is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels."

She said 11 offences associated with robbery and theft categories, as well as non-domestic assault and malicious damage had shown downward trends across the state.

The total number of incidents for the Peninsula postcodes dropped from 3301 in 2019 to 2869 in 2020, a 13 per cent reduction.

Thefts in Umina and Ettalong dropped by 172 from 712 to 540, a 24 per cent reduction.

SOURCE:

Media release/website, 9 Dec 2020

Jackie Fitzgerald, BOSCAR