Each quarter in Canberra, the Australian Federal Police provides us data on what the previous quarter looked like in terms of crime statistics. These crime statistics are broken down by region that the crime was committed in and then by the following categories:
- Assault
- Robbery
- Sexual Assault
- Stolen motor vehicles
- Burglary
- Homicide
- Other offences against the person
- Property damage
- Theft (excluding stolen motor vehicles)
- Other offences
During this article, we will discuss Canberra suburbs ranked by crime rates and the potential reasons around why certain suburbs (such as the biggest suburb in Canberra) would have certain crime rates. It’s important to note that with each suburb varying in size and density, each figure will be different from the others.
After extensive research, we discovered that the highest rate of crime within Canberra has occurred in Kambah in the Tuggeranong district with 647 offensible crimes reported over 2021. While this number for Kambah is high, it’s important to factor in that Kambah is Canberra’s largest suburb and had an estimated population of 14,842 in 2020. The category of the most offences that took place in Kambah was ‘other offences’ which includes deception (and related offences), environmental, weaponry, drugs, public orders and driving offences. Kambah is one of the more expensive suburbs in Tuggeranong with a median price of $825,000.
What is curious is that Holt in the Belconnen district came in second for the highest number of reported crimes committed and had 511 offensable crimes reported for the year of 2021. However, Holt only has an estimated population of 4,863 compared to Kambah’s 14,842 projected population. The type of crimes that were committed and reported in the area were also of the same nature as Kambah’s and were classed as ‘other offences’. Holt is one of the more affordable suburbs in the Belconnen district with a median price of $740,000.
All in all, it must be said that Canberra is a good place to live, and this becomes even more clear when you look at the suburbs with the least amount of crime. The suburb with the second least amount of reported committed crime was Jacka, in the Gungahlin district having only 27 crimes over the year reported and committed. However, Jacka only has a projected population of 760 residents. Most of the crimes committed in Jacka during the year were other offences. Jacka is one of the more expensive suburbs in the Gungahlin district with a median price of $900,000.
O’Malley was the suburb with the least amount of committed crime reported over the year. Coming in with only 20 offendable crimes committed that were reported, most of these crimes were stolen motor vehicles. O’Malley has a projected population of 1,074 residents. O’Malley is up there with being one of the most expensive suburbs to buy and live in Canberra with the median price being $1.9 million.
It’s interesting to note that crime rates for Canberra overall over the last few months of 2021 were lower than what they were when we were during the lockdown period between August to October. It’s surprising considering that we were all supposed to be staying home for that period and crime rates in theory, should be much lower.
If you’re looking for more recent crime rate statistics in Canberra, we have an article for you on Canberra Crime Rates in 2022 that you can check out.
Home may not always be safe for everyone though. For example: situations of domestic violence. If you witness a crime being committed or know of one, please call triple zero (000) or report to Crime Stoppers. In need of a criminal lawyer? Check out our article on the best criminal lawyers in Canberra to find out more.