SHELLHARBOUR has recorded the biggest drop in crime in the past two years, according to statistics released on April 16.
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The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) released figures for major offences committed in each local government area across the state in 2014.
Compared with the 2013 figures, crime rates fell in the Shellharbour LGA in 12 of the 17 major offences measured.
This included a 31.4 per cent drop in stealing from motor vehicles - from 462 to 317 - and a 20.8 per cent fall in malicious damage to property (from 745 down to 590). There was also an 18.1 per cent fall in non-domestic violence-related assaults.
Domestic violence rose in Wollongong and Shellharbour (by 4 per cent and 12 per cent respectively) but fell by 22 per cent in Kiama.
There were six murders in the Illawarra in 2014 - three in Wollongong, two in Shellharbour and one in Kiama.
Across the state, many offences were trending down. Robbery without a weapon fell 21.7 per cent, stealing from a person was down 14.6 per cent and damage to property was down 10.8 per cent.
But BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn said he was concerned about the sharp rise in drug use across the state.
Possession and use of cocaine was up 31.2 per cent while amphetamine use climbed 36.3 per cent. Dealing amphetamines also jumped 27.6 per cent.