DECLINE IN BREAK AND ENTER OFFENCES IN NSW
The NSW Government reports that the criminal offence of break and enter has had a consistent decline each year since 2014. The offence reached a peak in 2000 and has since halved. It nevertheless still remains one of the most prevalent serious crimes in NSW, with a substantial cost to household, the community and the NSW Government.
The reduction in break and enter offences does not necessarily represent a reduction in overall crime. It is likely the case that advancements in technology have increased the prevalence of financial cybercrime and simply diverted many offenders who are financial motivated to commit crime to a different form of crime.
Nevertheless, break and enter offences remain of great concern to the community, particularly after the reporting of cases by the media where the victims of break and enter offences have been random and not targeted based on any criminal activity or association of their own. As such, police and the courts are generally encouraged by the community to take a tough approach against break and enter crime.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with break and enter, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation.
WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF BREAK AND ENTER?
Part 4, Division 4 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) contains a number of break and enter offences.
The Act defines each of the break and enter offences as break out of a dwelling-house after committing, or enter with intent to commit, an indictable offence; break, enter and assault with intent to murder; enter a dwelling house with intent to commit a serious indictable offence; break, enter and commit a serious indictable offence; break and enter with intent to commit a serious indictable offence; being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, and being a convicted offender armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF BREAK AND ENTER?
The punishments for the criminal offence of break and enter can be severe.
Under Part 4, Division 4, of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), each of the different break and enter offences have their own respective punishments, with the most severe punishment being a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years for the offence of break, enter and assault with intent to murder.
The Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) also provides for aggravated and specially aggravated forms of offences with greater maximum penalties. An individual convicted of break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence under aggravating circumstances is liable to a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, whilst an individual found guilty of breaking and entering and committing a serious indictable offence in circumstances of special aggravation, is liable to a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
MAN CHARGED WITH BREAK AND ENTER OFFENCES AFTER POLICE PURSUIT
A 19-year-old man has been charged with multiple break and enter offences alleged to have occurred in the Nyngan and Cobar areas of Northern NSW between the period of 26 January 2025 and 15 February 2025.
The man was apprehended following a police pursuit that commenced after he failed to stop when directed to by Police attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District. During the pursuit, assistance was requested from Central North Police District, the Rural Crime Prevention Team and PolAir. The alleged offender abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, before being arrested in nearby bushland.
In addition to the break and enter offences, the man was charged with Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, custody of knife in public place, and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Dubbo Local Court on 19 February 2025, where he was again refused bail. He is scheduled to appear before Nyngan Local Court on 24 February 2025.
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
The repercussions of a break and enter conviction can be severe.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of break and enter, contact our expert break and enter criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation. Our award-winning criminal law experts have proven results in securing the best outcomes for our clients across NSW who have been charged with the criminal offence of break and enter.