Police say a greater willingness of victims to report incidents is the explanation for a big rise in cases of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sutherland Shire.
The NSW Bureau of Crime statistics and Research has released crime trends for the 24 months to March 2020.
The number of domestic violence related assaults in Sutherland Shire increased by 31 per cent over the period, while the number of sexual assaults rose by 50.7 per cent.
Acting commander of Sutherland Police Area Command, Acting Superintendent Steve Patton said, during the period in question, police in the shire had been "very active working with numerous community groups and our partner agencies encouraging victims to report crime".
"The crimes are investigated vigorously with police taking swift action against offenders in circumstances where charges are supported by the evidence," he said.
"The increase in the BOCSAR figures reflect this proactive approach.
"In short, people are more willing to report crime and come to us for assistance which is a good thing."
The number of recorded crimes in the shire in the 12 months to March 2020:
- Murder: 3
- Domestic violence related assault: 684
- Non-domestic violence related assault: 614
- Sexual assault: 113
- Indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual offences: 158
- Robbery without a weapon: 29
- Robbery with a firearm: 2
- Robbery with a weapon not a firearm: 11
- Break and enter dwelling: 291
- Break and enter non-dwelling: 114
- Motor vehicle theft: 189
- Steal from motor vehicle: 613
- Steal from retail store: 496
- Steal from dwelling: 267
- Steal from person: 49
- Fraud: 1073
- Malicious damage to property: 1245
