BOCSAR’s report shows 15 of the 17 major crime categories were either stable or falling in the 24 months to June 2017.

The biggest downward trend was in stealing from a retail store which is down 35.5 per cent, falling from 355 to 229.

There was also a significant drop of 25.6 per cent in both breaking and entering a dwelling, down from 546 to 406 and stealing from a dwelling from 297 to 221.

The two categories of increase was in robbery with a weapon not a firearm which increased by four, from nine to 13 and sexual assault rose by one to 104.

Domestic Violence related assaults fell by 46 from 405 to 359; non-domestic related assaults fell from 456 to 411; indecent assault or act of indecency and other sexual offences dropped from 129 to 113; robbery without a weapon dropped by half down from 12 to six occurrences; while robbery with a firearm also reduced by one, with none recorded.

Break and enter non-dwelling fell by 59 from 208 to 149; motor vehicle theft fell from 176 to 154, while stealing from a motor vehicle reduced from 470 to 460.

Stealing from a person reduced by nine from 22 to 13; fraud was down by 129 counts  from 488 to 359; while malicious damage was also down from 922 to 881.

Again this quarter there were no reported cases of murder in the region.

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock and Kiama MP Gareth Ward commended Shoalhaven Local Area Command police for their exceptional work in fighting local crime.

“It is very reassuring to see our local statistics for the Shoalhaven followed the state-wide trends,” Mr Ward said.

Mrs Hancock said the results reflect the unwavering commitment and dedication of local police to keep the South Coast community safe.

“I would like to thank the community for doing their bit by reporting crime, working closely with our local police officers and remaining vigilant,” Mrs Hancock said.

“It is also particularly encouraging to see rates of domestic violence declining with the Illawarra and South Coast region showing over the 24 month period to June 2017 a downward trend of 16.5 per cent.

“Domestic violence has been an issue in our region, and I congratulate local police on their implementation of Suspect Target Management Plans, where they monitor recidivist offenders and act swiftly if they step out of line.

“These targeted plans are in addition to suite of initiatives employed by NSW Police to drive down violence in the home.”