Crime data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has revealed a widening gap in violent crime trends between Wollongong and Sydney, particularly in offences against people.
The data shows that while overall crime rates in NSW have remained stable over the past two decades, the disparity between metropolitan and regional areas is growing. In Wollongong, offences such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment are on the rise, outpacing the trends seen in Sydney.
In 2024, Wollongong recorded 709 domestic violence related incidents, the highest in any regional police district. While Sydney reported 296 cases (BOCSAR, 2022).
From 2012 to 2021, domestic violence-related stalking and intimidation incidents recorded by NSW Police increased by 110 per cent, from 8,120 to 17,063. Legal proceedings grew by 163.8 per cent, from 4,469 to 11,789, while court appearances rose by 63.8 per cent, from 3,562 in 2014 to 5,836 in 2021 (BOCSAR, 2022).
In 2024, Wollongong recorded 1,023 incidents of stalking, harassment, and threatening behaviour (RedSuburbs, 2024). Although the region’s rate is roughly 20 per cent lower than the NSW average, it has grown by three per cent annually over the past decade. In contrast, Sydney has experienced a sharper rise, with incidents increasing by eight per cent annually (BOCSAR, 2024).
Senior BOCSAR analyst Alana Cook said that while Wollongong’s rate is currently lower than the state average in relation to stalking and harrassment, the upward trend is concerning.
“It’s not that the experience is disproportionate to what’s being seen across NSW, but there has been a significant increase over the past 10 years,” she said.
Ms Cook added that more remote regional hubs often experience far higher rates of offending.
“The further we are from services and support, and the more dispersed the area, the greater the disparity in crime rates,” she said.
Reports of sexual assault have also increased in both Wollongong and Sydney by more than nine per cent annually over the past decade.
In 2023, Wollongong reported 134 cases with 2,600 sexual offences proceeding through the court system. Sydney recorded 1,823 cases (BOCSAR, 2024). Analysts suggest that the rise could be reflective of improved reporting practices rather than a genuine increase in incidents.
Ms Cook said that while transient populations and tourism in both cities contribute to higher reporting levels, crime statistics often reflect only what is reported to police, particularly underrepresenting intimate violent offences and were therefore “just the tip of the iceberg.”
