New figures released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics (BOCSAR) on major offences across NSW show that overall, crime is continuing to fall.

The NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, has welcomed the new results which show only two out of 17 major crime categories are trending up and the results are similar to the March 2012 quarter result.

The two major categories which have increased over the last two years are:

*domestic-violence related assault is up 4.8 per cent and

*fraud is 18.1 per cent;

The report states that a significant component of the increase in fraud includes the theft of

Mr Scipione said any increase in domestic violence was treated with the utmost seriousness.

“The NSW Police Force is working hard to encourage reporting of domestic violence which largely explains the increase. We are committed to assisting victims and prosecuting offenders.

“Nopolice officer takes joy in the increase in reporting of such incidents but we need to be very encouraged that people are coming forward. Please, if you are a victim of domestic violence, I urge you to report it to your local police,” the Commissioner said.

The BOCSAR report also shows that over the past five years 13 of the 17 major categories are either stable or going down.

Examples of average annual decreases in crime include:

*robbery without a weapon – down by 9.9 per cent;

*robbery with a weapon not a firearm – down 6.4 per cent;

*break and enter non-dwelling by 7.9 per cent;

*break and enter dwelling – down 2.7 per cent and

*motor vehicle theft down by 7.4 per cent.

The number of non-fatal shooting offences peaked in April 2012 at 44 incidents, however, this number dropped considerably to 24 incidents in March 2013.

In the six months to March 2013, the average for non-fatal shooting offences was 22 incidents per month, which was down from 28.3 per month for the prior six month period to September 2012.

Discharge firearm into premises has averaged 4.2 incidents per month over the six months to March 2013.

The report says this is a significant turnaround from an average of 10.5 incidents per month for the prior six month period to September 2012.

Commissioner Scipione said although he was pleased with the latest figures it was important to note that shooting offences do fluctuate over time and there was always more work to be done.

“I welcome these figures and I am encouraged by the results but as I have said time and time again one shooting is still one too many.”

Mr Scipione is also pleased to see a downward trend in assaults on licensed premises – 7.7 per cent reduction in pubs and clubs.

He said this was due to the many frontline police officers who work hard day in day out to prevent this unacceptable behaviour.

BOCSAR advises that criminal intent has recorded a significant upward trend up by 57.9 per cent over the past two years.

The report says that 84 per cent of the year-to-year rise was being generated by growth in the NSW Police incident category of consorting and 11 per cent of the rise was from the NSW Police incident category of armed with intent.

Mr Scipione said the effective use of the consorting legislation, specifically by Strike Force Kinnara, Raptor and Polaris officers, was reflected in this upward trend.

“These officers have issued warnings to key gang figures, who were subsequently summonsed for consorting.

“Arrests and charges have also resulted from seized cash, drugs, firearms and ammunition,” Commissioner Scipione said.

Over the past 24 months to March 2013, four drug offences including possession, trafficking and use of cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy, showed an upward trend.

Mr Scipione said this once again reflected increased pro-activity by the NSW Police.

“The Drug Squad continues to provide advice and direction regarding illicit drug crime,” he said.

“The squad will use all its resources to address this anti-social behaviour.”