Police recorded just 37 incidents of malicious damage to property in the 12 months to March 2017 – a 39.3 per cent drop from the previous year.

Frauds fell from 39 incidents in the 12 months to March 2016, to just eight in the year to March this year, while indecent assaults more than halved in the same period.

Non-domestic violence assaults were slightly down, while the number of domestic violence related assaults was slightly higher.

The figures have been released by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) as part of its quarterly report, which showed offences in all major crime categories remained steady, or fell, across NSW.

It was not all good news for the Bogan Shire though, with motor vehicle thefts up 66.7 per cent, steal from retail store doubling from four incidents to eight, and steal from dwelling slightly higher.

Meanwhile incident rates (calculated per 100,000 people) were more than twice the state average for three of the 17 major crime categories in the year to March 2017: motor vehicle theft (2.8 times the NSW rate); domestic violence related assault (2.3); break and enter – non-dwelling (2.2).

In nearby Narromine Shire, incidents of break and enter – non-dwelling climbed by 25 per cent, to more than five times the state average.

The Far West and Orana experienced significant 24-month increases in three major property offences: break and enter – dwelling (up 18.8 per cent), motor vehicle theft (up 28.1% per cent) and steal from retail store (up 28.0 per cent).

Statewide, steal from a person (down 15.9 per cent), robbery with a weapon not a firearm (down 10.9 per cent), break and enter dwelling (down 5.9 per cent), and fraud (down 4.3 per cent) have all fallen.

It was reassuring that no major offences were trending upwards at state level, BOCSAR deputy director Jackie Fitzgerald said, but regional crime problems should not be overlooked.

“The growth in crimes in the West and North West of NSW is particularly concerning because the crime rates in these areas are already more than twice, and in some cases more than three times the state average,” she said.

Police Minister and Dubbo MP Troy Grant congratulated NSW Police on the state results, but said “it is clear more needs to be done in some regional areas”.

“This is an incredible outcome, and a testament to the extraordinary work of our police officers, who continue to lead the nation in investigating crime and ensuring perpetrators are held to account,” Mr Grant said.

“I am committed to working closely with Commissioner Fuller and Deputy Commissioner Worboys to ensure our regional police are properly supported to prevent and disrupt crime in the country.”