A NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report released on Thursday indicated a drop in crime across 13 of 17 categories.

The most significant declines were recorded in the break and enter (dwellings), fraud and shop robberies categories.

Fraud was down from 661 cases to 510.

Break and enter into dwellings plummeted from 618 cases to 490.

There were 283 counts of shop robberies compared to 422 the year before.

There were no murders this year, or last year to September.

Most alarmingly, sexual assault has not fallen, it has increased from 128 cases to 133.

Non-domestic violence has also risen slightly from 523 to 525, as has robbery with a weapon other than a firearm from nine cases to 12.

Indecent assault is down from 191 counts to 165, as is domestic violence from 511 to 487 counts.

Robberies without a weapon have dropped from 14 to seven, with a firearm have dropped from one to none.

Break and enters in a non-dwelling have dropped from 240 to 211, car theft has dropped from 217 to 191, stealing from a car has dropped from 568 to 533, stealing from a dwelling has dropped from 394 to 340 and stealing from a person dropped from 26 to 16.

Malicious damage to property was down 1217 from 1271 counts.

“This latest data reflects the commitment and dedication of our local police to keeping our community safe,” Kiama MP Gareth Ward said.

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock was also impressed with the figures.

“We are seeing a reduction in domestic violence rates not just for the Shoalhaven but the region and it is very reassuring to know we are making a difference and starting to change attitudes,” she said.

“The Southern Region, including the Shoalhaven, will also have its own Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team rolled out in 2018, which will help to further reduce the domestic violence incidents.”

Crime figures in June were also favourable with a drop in 12 of 17 categories.