Top 5 Safest Areas in Sydney Based on Police Reports
Quick answer: Based on 2024–2025 data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) and NSW Police Force, the five safest suburbs in Sydney are Wahroonga (78.4 incidents/1,000 residents), Mosman (82.1), Hunters Hill (85.6), Turramurra (79.2), and Gordon (80.5) — all with crime rates 45–55% below the Sydney metropolitan average of 145.3 per 1,000 residents. These areas recorded near-zero violent crime and property crime rates 60–70% lower than the city average in 2024.
1. Is Sydney Safe? An Overview Based on Police Reports
Sydney is considered a safe global city with a crime rate significantly lower than comparable cities like Los Angeles, London, or New York. According to the BOCSAR 2024 Annual Report, the overall crime rate in Greater Sydney was 145.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, a 3.2% decrease from 2023. However, safety varies dramatically between suburbs.
The safest Local Government Areas (LGAs) are Ku-ring-gai, Mosman, and Hunters Hill, which have consistently recorded the lowest crime rates for over a decade. These areas benefit from high socioeconomic status, excellent street lighting, community policing programs, and engaged neighbourhood watch schemes.
Most common crimes in Sydney overall are: fraud (14.2%), malicious damage (12.8%), and domestic violence (11.5%). In safe suburbs, fraud and malicious damage are still present but at much lower volumes — typically 50–70% below the metropolitan average.
2. Top 5 Safest Areas in Sydney — Detailed Profiles
Data sourced from BOCSAR 2024 Suburb Reports and NSW Police Force operational data. All figures are incidents per 1,000 residents (2024 calendar year).
| Suburb | LGA | Total Incidents /1k | Violent Crime /1k | Property Crime /1k | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahroonga | Ku-ring-gai | 78.4 | 2.1 | 18.6 | 1 |
| Turramurra | Ku-ring-gai | 79.2 | 2.3 | 19.1 | 2 |
| Gordon | Ku-ring-gai | 80.5 | 2.4 | 19.8 | 3 |
| Mosman | Mosman | 82.1 | 2.6 | 21.2 | 4 |
| Hunters Hill | Hunters Hill | 85.6 | 2.8 | 22.0 | 5 |
Violent crime includes homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and assault. Property crime includes break-and-enter, motor vehicle theft, and fraud. All five suburbs had zero homicides in 2024. For context, the Sydney average for violent crime is 7.8 per 1,000; property crime is 52.4 per 1,000.
Suburb-by-suburb highlights
- Wahroonga — 12,800 residents. Only 4 break-and-enters in 2024. High presence of Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command patrols.
- Turramurra — 11,200 residents. 5 motor vehicle thefts in 2024 (rate 0.45/1k vs NSW avg 5.2/1k).
- Gordon — 9,800 residents. Lowest fraud rate in NSW at 2.1/1k (state avg 14.8/1k).
- Mosman — 10,500 residents. Strong Mosman Community Safety Plan in place since 2018.
- Hunters Hill — 8,900 residents. Only 1 reported robbery in 2024. Active Hunters Hill Council neighbourhood watch.
3. Cost of Living in Sydney's Safest Suburbs
Safety comes at a premium. According to Domain 2025 Q1 Report and Realestate.com.au, these suburbs rank among Sydney's most expensive.
| Suburb | Median House Price (AUD) | Median Weekly Rent (AUD) | Annual Price Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahroonga | $2,800,000 | $1,200 | +4.2% |
| Turramurra | $2,500,000 | $1,050 | +3.8% |
| Gordon | $2,600,000 | $1,100 | +4.0% |
| Mosman | $3,500,000 | $1,500 | +5.1% |
| Hunters Hill | $3,200,000 | $1,350 | +4.5% |
Beyond housing, daily costs are 15–25% higher than the Sydney average. A typical weekly grocery bill for a family of four in these areas is AUD 280–350, compared to AUD 220 in outer suburbs. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs AUD 110–150 per person.
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing a Safe Suburb
Follow this process to evaluate safety using official police data:
- Step 1 — Access BOCSAR data: Visit BOCSAR Crime Statistics and select your LGA or suburb of interest.
- Step 2 — Filter by offence type: Focus on violent crime (robbery, assault) and property crime (break-in, theft) — these are the best safety indicators.
- Step 3 — Check 24-month trend: BOCSAR provides rolling 12-month data. Look for stable or declining trends, not just a single low number.
- Step 4 — Use the Crime Mapping Tool: The NSW Crime Mapping Tool gives a visual breakdown of crime hotspots within a suburb.
- Step 5 — Cross-check with local police: Contact the local Police Area Command (PAC) for community safety feedback.
- Step 6 — Inspect the area: Visit at different times of day. Check lighting, foot traffic, and transport security.
- Step 7 — Review council safety plans: Most safe LGAs publish annual safety audits — e.g., Mosman Community Safety Plan.
5. Where to Go — Local Safety Authorities & Resources
These agencies provide official safety data, support, and emergency services:
| Institution | Role | Contact / Website |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Police Force | Emergency response, crime prevention, community policing | police.nsw.gov.au / Triple Zero (000) |
| BOCSAR | Official crime statistics & research | bocsar.nsw.gov.au |
| Revenue NSW | Fines, penalties & infringement management | revenue.nsw.gov.au |
| Ku-ring-gai Council | Local safety programs, community services | krg.nsw.gov.au |
| Mosman Council | Community safety, beach patrols, parking enforcement | mosman.nsw.gov.au |
| Hunters Hill Council | Neighbourhood watch, local safety initiatives | huntershill.nsw.gov.au |
6. Time Efficiency — Commute & Waiting Times
Despite being safe, these suburbs are well-connected. Average commute to Sydney CBD by train or car:
- Wahroonga — 28 minutes by train (Wahroonga Station, T1 North Shore Line); 22 minutes by car via Pacific Highway.
- Turramurra — 32 minutes by train (Turramurra Station); 25 minutes by car via Mona Vale Road.
- Gordon — 25 minutes by train (Gordon Station); 20 minutes by car.
- Mosman — 15 minutes by bus (169, 230X); 12 minutes by car via Military Road.
- Hunters Hill — 20 minutes by bus (252, 538); 18 minutes by car via Victoria Road.
Waiting times: Trains run every 7–12 minutes during peak hours. Bus frequency is 10–15 minutes. Police response times in these suburbs average 6–9 minutes for priority calls, compared to 12–18 minutes in outer suburbs (NSW Police Force, 2024).
7. Vacancy Rates in Safe Suburbs
According to SQM Research Vacancy Rate Report — Q1 2025:
| Suburb | Vacancy Rate (%) | Average Days on Market | Trend (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahroonga | 1.2% | 14 | −0.2pp |
| Turramurra | 1.1% | 12 | −0.3pp |
| Gordon | 1.0% | 11 | −0.1pp |
| Mosman | 0.8% | 10 | −0.4pp |
| Hunters Hill | 0.9% | 13 | −0.2pp |
These ultra-low vacancy rates (Sydney metro avg 2.4%) reflect high demand. Rental properties typically lease within 10–18 days. Key driver: limited new housing supply in established low-density zones, combined with high desirability due to safety and schools.
8. Hospitals & Medical Facilities Near Safe Areas
Residents have rapid access to world-class healthcare. Major hospitals within 15 minutes:
- Wahroonga: Sydney Adventist Hospital — AUD 1.2 billion redevelopment completed 2024, 500+ beds, 24/7 emergency.
- Turramurra / Gordon: Hornsby Hospital (12 min) — 320 beds, major trauma service. Royal North Shore Hospital (15 min) — 840 beds, tertiary referral centre.
- Mosman: Royal North Shore Hospital (8 min). Also Mater Hospital (10 min) — 250 beds, private.
- Hunters Hill: Concord Repatriation General Hospital (12 min) — 500 beds, veterans' health. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (15 min) — 900 beds, major trauma.
Ambulance response times in these areas average 7.5 minutes (NSW Ambulance, 2024), compared to 12.1 minutes for rural NSW.
9. Road Safety & Key Road Names
These suburbs have well-maintained roads with low accident rates. Key roads:
- Pacific Highway (A1) — major north-south artery through Wahroonga, Turramurra, Gordon. Average speed 60 km/h, with school zone cameras.
- Mona Vale Road (A3) — connects Turramurra to the Northern Beaches. Safety upgrade completed 2023 (AUD 45 million).
- Military Road (A8) — main road through Mosman, high pedestrian traffic. Average 40 km/h zone with red-light cameras.
- Victoria Road (A40) — passes Hunters Hill. Dedicated bus lanes and cycle paths installed 2022.
Road incident data: In 2024, these five suburbs recorded a combined 3 serious traffic accidents (Transport for NSW, 2024), compared to 47 in similar-sized suburbs in South West Sydney. Drink-driving incidents were 80% lower than the NSW average.
10. Fines & Penalties — What to Know
Common fines enforced in these safe areas (source: Revenue NSW and NSW Police Force):
| Offence | Fine Amount (AUD) | Enforcement Body |
|---|---|---|
| Parking — exceed time limit (e.g., 2P zone) | $120 – $272 | Council / Revenue NSW |
| Parking — clearway or bus zone | $272 – $344 | Council / Revenue NSW |
| Speeding — exceed by ≤10 km/h | $142 | NSW Police / Revenue NSW |
| Speeding — exceed by 20–30 km/h | $533 – $1,066 | NSW Police / Revenue NSW |
| Mobile phone use while driving | $352 (plus 5 demerit points) | NSW Police |
| Littering (council area) | $100 – $300 | Council rangers |
| Dog off-leash in restricted area (Mosman) | $180 | Mosman Council |
Ku-ring-gai Council issued 4,210 parking fines in 2024 (avg $165 each). Mosman Council issued 3,850, with beach parking being the highest category. Fines paid within 21 days receive a 25% reduction.
11. Office Addresses & Real-Life Cases
Key Office Addresses
- Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command — 4-6 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072. Phone: (02) 9498 1599.
- Mosman Police Station — 5 Rangers Road, Mosman NSW 2088. Phone: (02) 9969 4199.
- Hunters Hill Police Station — 3 Fernando Street, Hunters Hill NSW 2110. Phone: (02) 9817 6464.
- BOCSAR Head Office — Level 6, 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
- Ku-ring-gai Council — 818 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072.
- Mosman Council — 573 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088.
Real-Life Case Studies
Case 1 — Wahroonga break-in prevented (2024): In March 2024, a resident in Wahroonga's Redleaf Avenue used the NSW Police Force Smart Policing app to report suspicious activity. Two offenders were arrested within 12 minutes. Outcome: no property loss; offenders charged with attempted break-and-enter. The Ku-ring-gai PAC credited the rapid response to community vigilance and GPS-based dispatch.
Case 2 — Mosman beach theft ring (2024): Mosman police (with assistance from the Mosman Council CCTV network) identified a group stealing from vehicles at Balmoral Beach. Five arrests made in November 2024, with 12 charges laid. Stolen items valued at AUD 24,000 were recovered. The case led to increased beach patrols and a 40% drop in such incidents in Q4 2024.
Case 3 — Hunters Hill neighbourhood watch success (2023): The Hunters Hill Community Safety Group (supported by Hunters Hill Council) launched a text alert system in 2023. In August 2023, a resident alerted the group to a suspicious vehicle on Ryde Road. Police arrived within 8 minutes and found stolen goods from a burglary in Gladesville. The system now covers 1,200+ residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 safest areas in Sydney based on police reports?
A. According to BOCSAR 2024 data, the top 5 safest areas are: Wahroonga (78.4 incidents/1,000 residents), Mosman (82.1), Hunters Hill (85.6), Turramurra (79.2), and Gordon (80.5). All have crime rates 45–55% below the Sydney average of 145.3 per 1,000.
How is crime data collected for Sydney suburbs?
A. Crime data is collected by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) in partnership with the NSW Police Force. It is sourced from official police reports, recorded incidents, and court outcomes. BOCSAR releases quarterly and annual reports covering 17 major offence categories, broken down by LGA and suburb.
Is it expensive to live in the safest Sydney suburbs?
A. Yes. Median house prices range from AUD 2.5 million (Turramurra) to AUD 3.5 million (Mosman) — approximately 2–3 times the Sydney median. Weekly rents range from AUD 1,050 to AUD 1,500 (Domain, Q1 2025). Households should budget 60–80% more for housing compared to average Sydney suburbs.
What types of crime are lowest in these safe areas?
A. Homicide (zero in all five suburbs in 2024), robbery (1–2 incidents/suburb/year), break-and-enter (3–8 incidents/suburb/year), and motor vehicle theft (2–5 incidents/suburb/year). Property crime rates are 60–70% lower than the Sydney metropolitan average. Drug and public order offences are also significantly below average.
How can I check the latest crime statistics for a Sydney suburb?
A. Use the BOCSAR Crime Statistics portal, the NSW Crime Mapping Tool, or LGA-level annual reports. Domain and Realestate.com.au also include safety data in suburb profiles. Data is updated quarterly.
Are there any hospitals located near these safe areas?
A. Yes. Wahroonga has Sydney Adventist Hospital (500+ beds). Mosman is 8 min from Royal North Shore Hospital. Hunters Hill is near Concord Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Turramurra and Gordon are served by Hornsby Hospital and Royal North Shore.
What is the vacancy rate in Sydney's safest suburbs?
A. Extremely low: Wahroonga 1.2%, Turramurra 1.1%, Gordon 1.0%, Mosman 0.8%, Hunters Hill 0.9% (SQM Research Q1 2025). The Sydney metro average is 2.4%. Properties lease within 10–18 days on average.
What are the most common fines in these safe areas?
A. Parking violations (AUD 120–272), speeding (AUD 142–2,533), mobile phone use (AUD 352), and council-specific fines such as beach parking in Mosman (AUD 180) and littering (AUD 100–300). Revenue NSW manages all fine collection.
Official Resources
- BOCSAR — NSW Crime Statistics (official data portal)
- NSW Crime Mapping Tool (interactive map)
- NSW Police Force (emergency & community safety)
- Revenue NSW (fines & infringements)
- Ku-ring-gai Council (local safety programs)
- Mosman Council — Community Safety Plan
- Hunters Hill Council — Safety Initiatives
- SQM Research — Vacancy Rate Data
- Domain — Property Prices & Suburb Profiles
- Transport for NSW — Road Safety Data