What Are The Bad Areas Of Sydney?

Thankfully, Australia has one of the lowest crime rates in the developed world. Australia is rated as the world's thirteenth safest country, and the city of Sydney is considered the world's fifth safest.

The NSW Bureau of National Crime records (BOCSAR) Crime Tracker is indeed a fantastic free resource that displays the crime statistics in each local government district in New South Wales.

There are a few considerations while trying to identify the most risky suburb in a certain region.

• Recent crime statistics
• Forces of law enforcement
• Demographic

It's best to steer clear of the poorer suburbs in the more dangerous locations if you're in the market for a new home, as they tend to have lower property values and a lower potential return on investment.

Listed below are by far the most dangerous areas of Sydney, as determined by an analysis of crime data from New South Wales's individual suburbs.

By any measure, Sydney is one of the world's safest major cities, and it was just named by that of the Economist Intelligence as the fifth-safest in which to travel in 2019. Most of Sydney is well-lit and safe, especially at night, thanks to the city's modern infrastructure and relatively low crime rate.

However, like any major metropolis, there are some Sydney suburbs that pass the "eye test" and/or crime statistics as being generally unsafe.

Reasons for this are varied and often work along with the neighborhood's general "climate" to make it a dangerous place to live.

Based on our own research and observations, as well as data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Data & Research, here is our ranking of the five most dangerous neighbourhoods in Sydney. Observe that there is no specific order to these.

For a detailed breakdown of crime rates across all main crime categories and across all Sydney suburbs, as a function of both population and location, please visit my Sydney Suburbs Crime Stats page.

Suburbs Having The Highest Number Of Automobile Thefts:

•  Bankstown (991)
•  Blacktown (887)
•  Liverpool (805)
•  Auburn (625)
•  Penrith (625)

Suburbs Having The Highest Number Of Burglaries:

• Blacktown (1,457)
• Liverpool (1,156)
• Parramatta (1,125)
• Strathfield (1,082)
• Westmead (985)

The Following Are The Most Vandalised Suburbs:

•  Blacktown (4,101)
•  Sydney (2,920)
•  Penrith (2,551)
•  Parramatta (2,496)
•  Campbelltown (2,482)

The 10 Most Dangerous Suburbs In Sydney

Blacktown

It's unfortunate that Blacktown is included here, because as a suburb it appears to have quite a lot of special of practical amenities.

It's a major transportation hub with extensive connections, has excellent shopping options, and is populated by a very diverse group of people.

Blacktown is among the highest rates of crime per capita, while being one of the largest cities on this list, therefore its raw quantity of criminal offences has always been going to be bigger.

As soon as you leave the station, you may be targeted by begging youths, and pickpocketing is widespread.

There are a lot of people who are obviously on drugs in practically every public park, and the continual presence of police on the streets should put you on "high alert" if you plan on visiting here at any time of day, but especially at night.

The area additionally has one of the highest rates of robberies (without firearms) in all of metropolitan Cities, which should be taken into account by prospective inhabitants. Yes, Blacktown's wonderful variety of amenities may make it a good real estate investment, but when rates are so cheap in Sydney, it's clear something is wrong.

Last but not least, outside a few decent local markets, there isn't much to do here, thus there's no real need to come here when nearby places like Parramatta offer considerably more.

Doonside

Doonside is another reasonably equipped Sydney neighbourhood with good access to public transportation (both bus & train) as well as a respectable selection of amenities to go with its affordable home prices.

It's a bifurcated suburb in that there's a sharp divide between the suburb's standard, better section and its full share of housing commision places, which are located on the opposite side of the railway. Simply said, the north is better and the south is worse.

The history of drug use, along with high unemployment and high rates of welfare dependence, does not create an attractive image. Doonside has a history of street violence, petty theft from commuters, and even machete attacks and homicides.

Domestic abuse is common, and so is being hassled for cigarette and spare money on public transportation. Avoid parking here on streets if you can, because leaving your car for too long increases the likelihood of having a window broken in.

To put it bluntly, you really had to feel for the industrious people who live on the "good" side of the tracks, which, while nicer, still carries the baggage of the suburb in general and can be a turnoff when attempting to sell a property.

Even if there were a sufficient number of shops, they would have a greater theft rate than usual, so it wouldn't be enough to counteract the other disadvantages.

Claymore

Even though the Campbelltown area has been seeing some changes because to revitalisation initiatives and ongoing construction, Claymore is still one of the most disadvantaged areas in all of greater Sydney.

The fact that there was an effort to rebrand the area by changing the suburb's name a few years ago should give you an idea of what to expect from the area.

Although it is a neighbourhood with a large concentration of housing commissions, it has the highest rate of residential burglary in the whole of Sydney, therefore residents and tenants need take extra precautions to keep their possessions safe. This history dates back to the 1980s, when the area was designated as a housing commision project; since then, it has not had much success or the chance to develop.

With a variety of variables including education levels, criminal convictions, and juvenile offences, an independent research done in 2015 placed Claymore among the five most disadvantaged communities in all of New South Wales.

It's difficult to feel compassion for folks who have been locked up in institutions practically since birth. Although kindhearted people want to help, they should remain away because they cannot cure the societal issues that have persisted for generations with only one visit.

Fairfield

When compared to the other suburbs on just this list, Fairfield's crime rate isn't solely the result of underlying societal issues or a dearth of career possibilities.

Many of its issues stem from the fact that it was chosen as a site for the mass resettlement of refugees or other immigrants without enough preparation or the provision of positive prospects. Many famous gang conflicts have taken place there.

These factors have contributed to the area's status as one of Sydney's most common sites for armed robberies. Even if you accept the argument that non-gang members are never your intended target, this kind of atmosphere does not inspire a sense of safety. Law enforcement personnel have been murdered there, and the city has a high rate of drug-related crime per resident.

It's a shame, because the area, and South Western Sydney more generally, would benefit much from the international influences that bring such a wide variety of cuisines. For example, the nearby neighbourhood of Cabramatta has undergone significant revitalisation and now features some of the greatest and most undervalued tiny eateries in all Sydney, along with the opportunity to engage with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Fairfield has a layer of criminality that dampens day-to-day living, yet the area is home to some charming tiny streets that are fairly lush and offer reasonably reasonable housing for its location and decent road access.

Merrylands

When it comes to Sydney's suburbs, Merrylands is just a bit of a sad story, having gone from decent to awful when a big amount of housing commision was dumped in its midst.

Since then, the situation has worsened dramatically, setting new records for the number of firearms used and becoming notorious as the leading location for drive-by shootings.

Gunfire and the hum of police helicopters overhead are the perfect sounds to lull you to sleep at night.

Also, special police units in Australia have pointed to Merrylands as the starting place for numerous terrorist plans. Tied for #1 in attempted murders in the past year, as well.

Many roadways are jammed with cars because of numerous families living together in a single house, and car theft and abandonment are common. When you factor in the unsightliness of abandoned furniture or waste, as well as the lack of vegetation along the roadways, you have a recipe for disaster.

Here and in neighbouring Lidcombe, gang activity has been a persistent problem. Good multicultural food may be had in other places with more attractive settings, and its closeness to Parramatta and accessibility to a Sydney CBD are both major drawbacks.

Shalvey

"Want be able to buy a house with the a big yard near Sydney? "*A radio announcer from the 1950s says* In Shalvey, you should spend half your money on guarding the house and the other half on weaponry for when you decide to venture out.

Shalvey (and the other Mt. Druitt satellite communities like Whalan, Bidwill, and Dharruk - basically the 2770 area as a whole) is hazardous, plain and simple, and is another tragic housing commision hotspot locked in a constant poverty and welfare cycle with seemingly little possibility of rehabilitation.

Social workers who risk their skills and safety to help in these kinds of settings have my utmost respect, but the overall tone of these kinds of circumstances is gloomy.

Huge numbers of unemployed people with a nonexistent local economy equal a disastrous situation, and that's exactly what's happening here. No matter how you slice it, this place has a disproportionately large number of, uh, let's just say "not good" people.

There are a lot of car break-ins, people drink and yell at passers-by in the middle of a day outside their homes, and even accidently establishing eye contact can spark an argument. The situation gets rather dire when warnings against domestic abuse are posted on street signs.

Struggle Street, made famous by the filming of documentaries that allowed viewers to see life in low-income Australian households, serves as a stark reminder of the privileges we take for granted.

Bankstown

The Bankstown area of Sydney does poorly in every major category of unfavourable statistics when compared to other suburbs in the city. When looking at crime in Bankstown on a per-person basis, which accounts for the city's size, the most common crimes are assault, rape, drug charges, theft, and murder.

It's a big place, and it varies quite a bit from one end of suburb to the other; there's a sizable multiethnic community there, and there are some decent restaurants there, but they can't quite make up for the griminess and hostility of the place as a whole.

Bankstown is growing and changing for the better, but it's not quite there yet. Despite its prominence as a transportation hub, many passengers will still choose not to exit at this stop.

Some of the less appealing components have been relocated to places like Liverpool as a result of the increased development and "new immigration" (see below). However, there is still a sizable criminal community in Bankstown.

It has been a stronghold for biker gangs for decades, and many of the city's current immigrants are still quite closed off and antagonistic to native-born residents. In recent years, the city's crime rate has decreased annually. This decline, however, has occurred from such a lofty starting point that visitors, especially at night, should remain on the lookout.

Bankstown has a lot to offer in terms of conveniences, including a short commute to the heart of Sydney and access to a wide variety of large and small stores. Even so, housing prices have grown significantly over the past few years, negating the asset's other main value.

Liverpool

The good in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, is outnumbered by the evil in that area. It's a living example of how local government can't change the ethos of a neighbourhood just by building a Westfield and some schools and a train line.

Harassment of pedestrians going about their business is common, and the city's retail malls and other public shopping locations attract a wide variety of unsavoury characters with a wide spectrum of substance abuse issues. Petty theft and burglaries are common, and the city's assault and homicide rates are among the highest in New South Wales.

Much of the crime in Liverpool, as is the case in many other suburbs to large scale immigration without integration, can be attributed to the fact that immigrant communities there have chosen to live apart from one another, rather than forming the harmonious blend of cultures and outlooks that immigrants from different parts of the world should represent. The subsequent unpleasant environment discourages anyone from settling there permanently or even just spending the day there shopping.

This is the very last place you should feel endangered while seeking medical attention. Given the number of stabbings that have actually occurred in the city's public areas, it seems fitting.

Property prices in Liverpool, like those in neighbouring Bankstown, have risen to unsustainable levels, outpacing wage growth and outpacing the quality of life on offer. When you factor in the area's high rates of drug use as well as distribution, it becomes clear that there are safer places to reside in the surrounding area than Liverpool, such as Holsworthy, Panania, and even Cabramatta.

Kingswood

A brothel on the main street, right next to the pharmacies and bakeries, isn't exactly a sign that you're in the most refined part of the world.

Kingswood's one redeeming grace is its proximity to UWS and TAFE, however that fact does nothing to mitigate the numerous, daily crimes that occur there.

All the suburb's drama, petty crime, and other social ills stem from the high concentration of housing commision buildings near the train station.

Fighting between drug addicts at the station isn't exactly the kind of thing you want to see on your way to work, but unfortunately, it's just another day in Kingswood.

When the train station is already a crime magnet (especially through the parks), walking home becomes a game of chance.

There is a high institutionalised rate of domestic violence, as is the case in other house-heavy suburbs, and police conduct frequent narcotics searches. When you factor in the prevalence of burglaries, break-ins, and other acts of petty crime, Penrith's recent revitalisation hardly seems worth the risk of living in the area.

Even so, "pleasant" is stretching it to describe the farthest reaches of the suburb.

Tregear

Tregear, one of the satellite suburbs bordering Mount Druitt, is the cheapest area to buy homes in Sydney for a reason: it is the unhappy and persistent poster child for the association between huge quantities of housing commision and crime rates.

Despite ongoing efforts to integrate private and public housing, the region remains blighted by high rates of violent and deadly crimes like arson, attempted murder, breaking violence orders, and a wide variety of break-in-related offences.

Despite having some nice nature in the surprisingly spacious and well-equipped Tregear Reserve, it is again a place with little infrastructure, jobs (one of the highest levels of poverty in the state of NSW), or confidence overall. It's no surprise that hopelessness and criminality follow areas where the jobless rate for people aged 16 to 24 exceeds 40 percent.

Creating entire communities grouped around social housing based on antiquated models and planning concepts is not effective, and the predominance of suburbs like these on high-crime-rate lists is proof of that.

Unfortunately, these problems—homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction—are still very much present in this area.

Although neither common or frequent, street brawls in Tregear including poles and machetes, hurled bricks, purposefully hitting individuals with motor vehicles, and more have occurred during the previous few years. Domain's 2019 annual liveability poll also ranked it dead last in Sydney suburbs for safety.

Conclusion

Below is a list of the most dangerous areas of Sydney, as determined by an analysis of crime data from New South Wales's individual suburbs. The Economist Intelligence has ranked Sydney as the fifth-safest place to live in 2019. Blacktown has one of the highest rates of crime per capita in all of Sydney's major cities. There are a lot of people who are obviously on drugs in practically every public park, and the presence of police on the streets should put you on "high alert" if you plan on visiting here at any time of day or night. Doonside has a history of street violence, petty theft from commuters, and even machete attacks and homicides.

Claymore, Fairfield and Campbelltown are three of the most disadvantaged areas in all of greater Sydney. Claymore's crime rate dates back to the 1980s when it was designated as a housing commission project. Fairfield's issues stem from being chosen as a site for the mass resettlement of refugees or other immigrants without enough preparation or the provision of positive prospects. Although kindhearted people want to help, they cannot cure the societal issues that have persisted for generations with only one visit. Fairfield has a layer of criminality that dampens day-to-day living, yet the area is home to some charming tiny streets that are fairly lush.

Cabramatta has undergone significant revitalisation and now features some of the greatest and most undervalued tiny eateries in all Sydney. Merrylands has gone from decent to awful when a big amount of housing commision was dumped in its midst. Shalvey (and the other Mt Druitt satellite communities like Whalan, Bidwill, and Dharruk - basically the 2770 area as a whole) is hazardous, plain and simple. Bankstown is growing and changing for the better, but it's not quite there yet. It has been a stronghold for biker gangs for decades, and many of the city's current immigrants are still quite closed off and antagonistic to native-born residents.

The most common crimes in Bankstown on a per-person basis are assault, rape, drug charges, theft, and murder. Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, is outnumbered by the evil in that area. The city's retail malls and other public shopping locations attract a wide variety of unsavoury characters with a wide spectrum of substance abuse issues. Petty theft and burglaries are common, and the city's assault and homicide rates are among the highest in New South Wales. Despite ongoing efforts to integrate private and public housing, the region remains blighted by high rates of violent and deadly crimes.

Domain's 2019 annual liveability poll also ranked it dead last in Sydney suburbs for safety. It's no surprise that hopelessness and criminality follow areas where the jobless rate for people aged 16 to 24 exceeds 40 percent.

Content Summary:

• Thankfully, Australia has one of the lowest crime rates in the developed world.
• Australia is rated as the world's thirteenth safest country, and the city of Sydney is considered the world's fifth safest.
• The NSW Bureau of National Crime records (BOCSAR) Crime Tracker is indeed a fantastic free resource that displays the crime statistics in each local government district in New South Wales.
• There are a few considerations while trying to identify the most risky suburb in a certain region.
• Recent crime statistics Forces of law enforcement Demographic It's best to steer clear of the poorer suburbs in the more dangerous locations if you're in the market for a new home, as they tend to have lower property values and a lower potential return on investment.
• Listed below are by far the most dangerous areas of Sydney, as determined by an analysis of crime data from New South Wales's individual suburbs.
• By any measure, Sydney is one of the world's safest major cities, and it was just named by that of the Economist Intelligence as the fifth-safest in which to travel in 2019.
• Most of Sydney is well-lit and safe, especially at night, thanks to the city's modern infrastructure and relatively low crime rate.
• However, like any major metropolis, there are some Sydney suburbs that pass the "eye test" and/or crime statistics as being generally unsafe.
• Based on our own research and observations, as well as data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Data & Research, here is our ranking of the five most dangerous neighbourhoods in Sydney.
• For a detailed breakdown of crime rates across all main crime categories and across all Sydney suburbs, as a function of both population and location, please visit my Sydney Suburbs Crime Stats page.
• It's a major transportation hub with extensive connections, has excellent shopping options, and is populated by a very diverse group of people.
• Blacktown is among the highest rates of crime per capita, while being one of the largest cities on this list, therefore its raw quantity of criminal offences has always been going to be bigger.
• There are a lot of people who are obviously on drugs in practically every public park, and the continual presence of police on the streets should put you on "high alert" if you plan on visiting here at any time of day, but especially at night.
• The area additionally has one of the highest rates of robberies (without firearms) in all of metropolitan Cities, which should be taken into account by prospective inhabitants.
• Yes, Blacktown's wonderful variety of amenities may make it a good real estate investment, but when rates are so cheap in Sydney, it's clear something is wrong.
• Doonside is another reasonably equipped Sydney neighbourhood with good access to public transportation (both bus & train) as well as a respectable selection of amenities to go with its affordable home prices.
• The history of drug use, along with high unemployment and high rates of welfare dependence, does not create an attractive image.
• Doonside has a history of street violence, petty theft from commuters, and even machete attacks and homicides.
• Domestic abuse is common, and so is being hassled for cigarette and spare money on public transportation.
• Avoid parking here on streets if you can, because leaving your car for too long increases the likelihood of having a window broken in.
• Even though the Campbelltown area has been seeing some changes because to revitalisation initiatives and ongoing construction, Claymore is still one of the most disadvantaged areas in all of greater Sydney.
• The fact that there was an effort to rebrand the area by changing the suburb's name a few years ago should give you an idea of what to expect from the area.
• Although it is a neighbourhood with a large concentration of housing commissions, it has the highest rate of residential burglary in the whole of Sydney, therefore residents and tenants need take extra precautions to keep their possessions safe.
• This history dates back to the 1980s, when the area was designated as a housing commision project; since then, it has not had much success or the chance to develop.
• With a variety of variables including education levels, criminal convictions, and juvenile offences, an independent research done in 2015 placed Claymore among the five most disadvantaged communities in all of New South Wales.
• When compared to the other suburbs on just this list, Fairfield's crime rate isn't solely the result of underlying societal issues or a dearth of career possibilities.
• Many of its issues stem from the fact that it was chosen as a site for the mass resettlement of refugees or other immigrants without enough preparation or the provision of positive prospects.
• Many famous gang conflicts have taken place there.
• These factors have contributed to the area's status as one of Sydney's most common sites for armed robberies.
• Law enforcement personnel have been murdered there, and the city has a high rate of drug-related crime per resident.
• It's a shame, because the area, and South Western Sydney more generally, would benefit much from the international influences that bring such a wide variety of cuisines.
• For example, the nearby neighbourhood of Cabramatta has undergone significant revitalisation and now features some of the greatest and most undervalued tiny eateries in all Sydney, along with the opportunity to engage with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Fairfield has a layer of criminality that dampens day-to-day living, yet the area is home to some charming tiny streets that are fairly lush and offer reasonably reasonable housing for its location and decent road access.
• Merrylands When it comes to Sydney's suburbs, Merrylands is just a bit of a sad story, having gone from decent to awful when a big amount of housing commision was dumped in its midst.
• Since then, the situation has worsened dramatically, setting new records for the number of firearms used and becoming notorious as the leading location for drive-by shootings.
• Also, special police units in Australia have pointed to Merrylands as the starting place for numerous terrorist plans.
• Tied for #1 in attempted murders in the past year, as well.
• Many roadways are jammed with cars because of numerous families living together in a single house, and car theft and abandonment are common.
• Here and in neighbouring Lidcombe, gang activity has been a persistent problem.
• Good multicultural food may be had in other places with more attractive settings, and its closeness to Parramatta and accessibility to a Sydney CBD are both major drawbacks.
• A radio announcer from the 1950s says* In Shalvey, you should spend half your money on guarding the house and the other half on weaponry for when you decide to venture out.
• Shalvey (and the other Mt. Druitt satellite communities like Whalan, Bidwill, and Dharruk - basically the 2770 area as a whole) is hazardous, plain and simple, and is another tragic housing commision hotspot locked in a constant poverty and welfare cycle with seemingly little possibility of rehabilitation.
• Huge numbers of unemployed people with a nonexistent local economy equal a disastrous situation, and that's exactly what's happening here.
• No matter how you slice it, this place has a disproportionately large number of, uh, let's just say "not good" people.
• The situation gets rather dire when warnings against domestic abuse are posted on street signs.
• Struggle Street, made famous by the filming of documentaries that allowed viewers to see life in low-income Australian households, serves as a stark reminder of the privileges we take for granted.
• The Bankstown area of Sydney does poorly in every major category of unfavourable statistics when compared to other suburbs in the city.
• When looking at crime in Bankstown on a per-person basis, which accounts for the city's size, the most common crimes are assault, rape, drug charges, theft, and murder.
• Bankstown is growing and changing for the better, but it's not quite there yet.
• However, there is still a sizable criminal community in Bankstown.
• It has been a stronghold for biker gangs for decades, and many of the city's current immigrants are still quite closed off and antagonistic to native-born residents.
• In recent years, the city's crime rate has decreased annually.
• Bankstown has a lot to offer in terms of conveniences, including a short commute to the heart of Sydney and access to a wide variety of large and small stores.
• Even so, housing prices have grown significantly over the past few years, negating the asset's other main value.
• Liverpool The good in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, is outnumbered by the evil in that area.
• Harassment of pedestrians going about their business is common, and the city's retail malls and other public shopping locations attract a wide variety of unsavoury characters with a wide spectrum of substance abuse issues.
• Petty theft and burglaries are common, and the city's assault and homicide rates are among the highest in New South Wales.
• Much of the crime in Liverpool, as is the case in many other suburbs to large scale immigration without integration, can be attributed to the fact that immigrant communities there have chosen to live apart from one another, rather than forming the harmonious blend of cultures and outlooks that immigrants from different parts of the world should represent.
• Given the number of stabbings that have actually occurred in the city's public areas, it seems fitting.
• Property prices in Liverpool, like those in neighbouring Bankstown, have risen to unsustainable levels, outpacing wage growth and outpacing the quality of life on offer.
• When you factor in the area's high rates of drug use as well as distribution, it becomes clear that there are safer places to reside in the surrounding area than Liverpool, such as Holsworthy, Panania, and even Cabramatta.
• A brothel on the main street, right next to the pharmacies and bakeries, isn't exactly a sign that you're in the most refined part of the world.
• When the train station is already a crime magnet (especially through the parks), walking home becomes a game of chance.
• There is a high institutionalised rate of domestic violence, as is the case in other house-heavy suburbs, and police conduct frequent narcotics searches.
• When you factor in the prevalence of burglaries, break-ins, and other acts of petty crime, Penrith's recent revitalisation hardly seems worth the risk of living in the area.
• Tregear Tregear, one of the satellite suburbs bordering Mount Druitt, is the cheapest area to buy homes in Sydney for a reason: it is the unhappy and persistent poster child for the association between huge quantities of housing commision and crime rates.
• Despite ongoing efforts to integrate private and public housing, the region remains blighted by high rates of violent and deadly crimes like arson, attempted murder, breaking violence orders, and a wide variety of break-in-related offences.
• Despite having some nice nature in the surprisingly spacious and well-equipped Tregear Reserve, it is again a place with little infrastructure, jobs (one of the highest levels of poverty in the state of NSW), or confidence overall.
• It's no surprise that hopelessness and criminality follow areas where the jobless rate for people aged 16 to 24 exceeds 40 percent.
• Creating entire communities grouped around social housing based on antiquated models and planning concepts is not effective, and the predominance of suburbs like these on high-crime-rate lists is proof of that.
• Unfortunately, these problems—homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction—are still very much present in this area.
• Although neither common or frequent, street brawls in Tregear including poles and machetes, hurled bricks, purposefully hitting individuals with motor vehicles, and more have occurred during the previous few years.
• Domain's 2019 annual liveability poll also ranked it dead last in Sydney suburbs for safety.