While overall crime rates has fallen across the state, the Wingecarribee Shire has had an increase in theft.
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Retail theft has increased by close to 40 per cent in the shire, according to the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures.
The figures are based on annual totals and a 24-month trend from July 2016 to June 2018.
According to BOCSAR, from July 2017 to June 2018, there were 86 incidents of stealing from retail stores.
This was compared to the July 2016 to June 2017 quarter, during which there were 56 incidents of stealing from retail stores.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in response to the latest figures, police were focusing on theft across regional NSW.
“There is more work to do to reduce theft offences, particularly in some regional areas but with more police on the ground in communities across NSW, criminals should be worried,” Commissioner Fuller said.
According to the BOCSAR figures, the Shoalhaven Local Government Area (LGA) had a 70 per cent increase in retail theft.
Meanwhile the Wollondilly Shire LGA had a 30 per cent increase in retail theft, while the Shellharbour LGA had a 33 per cent increase.
In the Wingecarribee Shire, stealing from a dwelling crimes were down by 61 per cent.
Motor vehicle theft and steal from motor vehicle offences remained consistent over a 24-month period.
Break and enter at a non-dwelling crimes were down 44.6 per cent from the previous quarter, while break and enter at a dwelling decreased by 38.3 per cent.
Domestic violence-related assault was down by 41.3 per cent, while non-domestic violence related assault also remained stable.
Indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual offences were also stable, with 35 incidents from July 2017 to June 2018 compared to 43 incidents from July 2016 to June 2017.
There was only a slight variation of incidents of fraud remained stable over a 24-month period, with 169 incidents of fraud from July 2016 to June 2017 and 174 incidents from July 2017 to June 2018.
Malicious damage to property also remained stable, with 348 incidents from July 2016 to June 2017 compared to 360 incidents from July 2017 to June 2018.