The figures released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research included 141 local government areas across NSW. Tenterfield ranked in at seventh in the state for non-domestic assault, fifth for steal from dwelling, seventh for other theft, sixth for trespass, sixth for offensive language and second for harassment, threatening behaviour and private nuisance.

Though the incidence of non-domestic assault increased only by 20 offences in the Tenterfield LGA, the rise was enough to boost it from 26th spot in the year ending March 31, 2007 to seventh by the same time the following year.

In the year ending March 31, 2008, the Tenterfield LGA also recorded increases in figures in a number of categories including incidence of sexual assault, domestic assault, motor vehicle theft, receiving or handling stolen good and possession and/or use of cannabis.

A 44 per cent decrease in the incidence of steal from retail store over the same period saw Tenterfield drop from the seventh placed offender in the state in the 12 months to March 31, 2007, to 32nd place in the following 12 months.

Tenterfield also dropped in ranking other categories including incidence of break and enter non-dwelling, break and enter dwelling, malicious damage to property, steal from motor vehicle and a 79 position drop from 19th to 98th placing for incidence of fraud.

Despite only minor increases in the number of offences recorded and a general stabilisation of crime across the Northern Region in the 12 months.