Official crime statistics show that in regional Australia, violent and property offences have increased at faster rates than in major urban centres. Drug offences are an exception to this trend. So while the absolute rates of crime in regional Australia are lower than in metropolitan Australia, there are challenges for arresting the fast growth of violent and property crime in regional areas.
Based on New South Wales and Victorian data, this study explores some links between crime and regional development. Regional development translates into improved quality of life and life opportunities. However, crime is one of the many factors that affect quality of life. This paper provides new information on crime trends in non-metropolitan (regional) Australia. The results show that there is less crime in regions with stable populations, low unemployment, and an economic structure that is less vulnerable to short-term shocks.