The number of offences went up in 10 out of 17 categories, reported in newly released data by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) which looked at criminal incidents across the state over the last two years. 

This is in contrast to crime across most of NSW, which has either remained stable or fallen over the period. 

In the Bega Valley, 163 incidents of stealing from motor vehicles were recorded in 2016 – almost double the figure from 2015.

The most common offence in 2016 was malicious damage to property with 275 cases, down from 319 the year before. There were also 115 cases of non-domestic violence related assault.

Domestic violence related assault was another one of the most common crimes, with about 105 cases recorded both years.

According to the crime report there were around 25 cases of sexual assault both years, but there was a decrease from 49 incidents of indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual offences two years ago to 27 incidents last year. 

Fraud went up from 72 to 101 in 2016, while there was a 19-case increase of break and enter dwellings to 79.

Cases of motor vehicle theft remained stable with 28 incidents recorded both years, as did stealing from dwellings which numbered about 85 both years. 

According to demographic specialists .id, two years ago the estimated population for the Bega Valley was 33,500.

Overall, for that population, there were 1150 major criminal offences recorded in 2016 and 1055 the year before, but in 2015 there were two cases of murder. 

The only major offence to have increased across the whole state during this period was stealing from retail stores, which was up 6.1 per cent and three-quarters of the thefts reported to have occurred in supermarkets. 

This offence has been trending upwards for six successive quarters and in the Bega Valley the incidents increased over the two years from 44 to 61. 

Commenting on the state’s results BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn said rates of home burglary and motor vehicle theft were at the lowest since records began. 

"Most people don't realise it but rates of robbery in NSW are now back to where they were in the late 1970s,” Dr Weatherburn said.