Crime stats show drop in domestic violence in Gunnedah

The quarterly update from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) for the past 24 months to September 2015 shows a 40 per cent drop in domestic violence assaults in the Gunnedah area.

While no Gunnedah or Tamworth-based police were available to comment on the figures today, the statistics show 54 incidents were recorded in the 12 months to September 2015, 36 fewer than for the same period the year before.

The trend is in clear contrast to the statewide trend, where the domestic violence-related assault figures are listed as “stable”, meaning they have not changed significantly.

Gunnedah showed no significant change in figures across any other crime areas.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the latest results showed 16 of the major crime categories were either stable or falling.

Across NSW, there was a “significant drop” in murders, non-domestic violence-related assaults, robbery, break and enters, stealing and malicious damage.

BOCSAR figures show the New England and north-west areas were the exception to the stealing from a retail store category, with incidents rising 24.9 per cent.

The Gunnedah figures for stealing from a retail store remained identical at 43 incidents in both the 12 month period to September 2015, and the same period to September 2014.

BOCSAR reported the increase in the “steal from retail store” category could be attributed to store owners “making it easy for thieves” by displaying goods openly, often outside their stores.

NSW Police said in a release that increase pro-active work by police, including identifying theft as it occurred, had led to more incidents being reported.

Commissioner Scipione said the report linked increases in the number of reported incidents to “concentrated law enforcement”, particularly in drug possession rates.

“NSW Police will continue to work hard to tackle the scourge of illegal drugs and the detrimental impact they are having on our communities,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“We see time and time again the irreversible damage drugs have on individuals, their families and the wider community.

“We must therefore stay strong in our resolve to keep the pressure on those who choose to perpetuate this illegal trade.”

Director of the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research Dr Don Weatherburn said while downward crime trends were encouraging, the continued growth in arrests for use and possession of amphetamines was “a matter of concern”.

“Over the last five years in NSW the number of first-time arrests for use and/or possession of amphetamines has risen by 60 per cent,” he said.

“Every part of the state is affected but some of the biggest increases have occurred in regional NSW, with first-time arrests increasing by more than 70 per cent in the statistical areas of Coffs Harbour-Grafton; the Shoalhaven; the far west and Orana; and the Murray.”

Commissioner Scipione said yesterday the results “accurately reflect the enduring good work by officers of the NSW Police Force”.

“The men and women of the NSW Police Force continue to work tirelessly to keep the people of NSW safe and secure,” he said.

“Today’s results are a clear indication of their daily dedication and resilience in performing their duties.”

Gunnedah has taken a firm no-tolerance approach to family violence this year, with huge community support for an attempt the Guinness World Record for the largest human white ribbon mosaic last month.

While the record was not broken, participants formed a huge white ribbon shape with the help of white umbrellas.

White Ribbon Day also gained a lot of support for a pledge against violence in Gunnedah.