Three arrested after spike in Gunnedah crime

NSW Police have arrested and charged three young people after another series of break-ins, vehicle thefts and fires in the Gunnedah area – all three alleged offenders were refused bail.

In two weeks to last Thursday, Gunnedah recorded 11 break-and-enter offences including attempts with entry gained and seven stolen motor vehicle offences. Gunnedah Police and specialist police from within the Oxley Police District were tasked with investigating the offences.

Officers said about half of the stolen vehicle incidents resulted from thieves breaking into a house, locating the car keys and stealing the vehicle.

A least one motor vehicle stolen last week was recovered in the Hunter Valley and two persons were assisting police with inquiries.

One recent victim of crime said their car was locked and parked when it was stolen from a Curlewis driveway.

“I believe they have gotten in it and pushed it out of my driveway – otherwise I would have heard it start – and hot-wired it somehow,” the victim said.

“It’s the effort that they went too to take it is what gets me the most.

“With the cost of living, I couldn’t afford insurance so I’m basically stuck and being a single mother who can’t transport herself to work, it makes it hard.”

Many recent incidents in Gunnedah have occurred near the McLean Care Independent Living Units on Apex Road and Callander Avenue. At least two vehicles were stolen from residents in the area where several more attempted break-ins were also reported.

Police officers have since spoken with the McLean Care manager and said they will continue to work with management in an effort to reduce incidents of crime.

Vehicle fires were also reported near the Milroy and Wandobah Road intersection, on the Oxley Highway near Carroll as well as Donnelly Playing Fields, Gunnnedah, among other locations.

Last week, NSW Police appealed to the public for assistance to locate a man on an outstanding arrest warrant. Officers said Korrye Stevens, aged 32, who has since been arrested and bail refused, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for break and enter-related offences.

Police said yesterday no further break-and-enter or stolen vehicle offences had been reported since last week. The uptick in local crime follows new data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) which shows a decline in the proportion of young offenders formally diverted from the court system by way of a police-issued warning, caution, or youth justice conference.

In the last two years, the youth diversion rate fell from 51.3 per cent in 2022/23 to 46.8 per cent in 2023/24.

During the same period, youth court actions increased 10 per cent, while the number of cautions under the Young Offenders Act fell 10.5 per cent and formal warnings fell 7.3 per cent.

BOSCAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said diversion can reduce reoffending and avoid or delay the stigma and harms associated with a court appearance.

She believed diversion was being driven down by an increase in the seriousness of offences committed by young people such as robbery and break-and-enter, as well as a decline in less offences such as cannabis possession which typically would warrant diversion.

Other statistics recently published by BOSCAR show in the last 10 years to June 2024, four of the 13 major crime categories increased significantly in NSW including domestic violence-related assault (increased 28.3 per cent, rising in in 12 of 13 regional locations); sexual assault (increased 107.2 per cent, rising in all 13 regional locations); sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences (increased 31.5 per cent) and steal from retail store (increased 30.7 per cent).

During the same period, seven of the 13 major crime categories significantly declined including murder (decreased 25.8 per cent), robbery (decreased 37.2 per cent), break and enter dwelling (decreased 38.0 per cent), steal from motor vehicle (decreased 32.6 per cent) and other stealing offences (decreased 34.1 per cent).

Gunnedah police urged anyone with information that might assist in further investigating crimes to contact Gunnedah Police Station on 6742 9099 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. Officers also said those posting information on social media who have information that might assist, are encouraged to share that information with Gunnedah Police or Crimestoppers.