BREAK and enters occur in Tamworth at almost triple the state rate.
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The alarming statistic was revealed in the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) report.
Meanwhile, Walcha might just be one of the nicest places in NSW, where the numbers were too small to even calculate, statistician Dr Don Weatherburn said.
"Absolutely nothing happened in Walcha, it would compare with Ku-ring-gai in Sydney as one of the safest places for any kind of property crime," he said.
Tamworth ranked ninth for break and enters in the state, but the numbers have actually not changed significantly for better or worse in the last two years, according to the BOCSAR figures.
Oxley Police District Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy hopes an increase in police numbers will make a difference.
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Operation Southbreak has officers actively targeting high areas of crime in South and West Tamworth.
"Only this month we have made six significant arrests for break-and-enter by juveniles," Detective Darcy said.
"These people are sometimes repeat offenders so they are known and targeted."
Perpetrators of break and enters are most often young people, officers claim, so more resources have been put into plain-clothed and uniformed police in high crime areas.
Domestic violence is an issue across the region, with Glen Innes ranking 20th in NSW and being home to sexual assault at 2.3 times the state average.
In Gunnedah, motor vehicle theft has more than doubled in two years, up 114 per cent from 28 incidents in 2017 to 60 last year.
The country town comes in third in the state for motor vehicle thefts.
While Moree has some of the highest crime rates in the state for practically everything, break and enters, motor vehicle theft, stealing from homes and malicious damage rates all dropped.
In regional NSW, crime never dropped as much as it did in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, Dr Weatherburn said.
"In more recent times the things working against regional NSW are a more troublesome economy, lower wages and unemployment," he said.
"Simple things like public transport are an issue, so kids are more likely to steal cars, it's harder to get a licence so kids are caught driving without."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
