The picturesque south-west NSW town of Bungendore, recently crowned Australia's Top Tourism Town for 2025, is confronting a dramatic crime wave that has left residents fearful and businesses vulnerable. With criminal incidents skyrocketing by 65% and no permanent police presence for two years, this community of just under 5000 people is fighting to protect its charming character from a surge in vandalism, theft and arson attacks.
Alarming Crime Statistics Reveal Troubling Trend
Official data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research paints a concerning picture for Bungendore. Criminal incidents have jumped dramatically from 117 in 2022-23 to 194 in 2023-24, representing a 65% increase that has pushed crime to its highest level in a decade. The trend has continued into 2024-25 with 184 criminal incidents already recorded.
Malicious damage to property has nearly tripled, escalating from just 11 incidents in 2022-23 to 32 in the following year. Theft has reached its highest point in ten years, with 58 incidents reported in the last financial year alone.
Community Under Siege: Businesses Targeted Repeatedly
Local establishments have borne the brunt of this crime surge. Facilities at the local oval have been vandalised multiple times, with merchandise belonging to the football team stolen. The community centre and toilet blocks suffered damage while undergoing renovations, and the community garden was trashed.
One restaurant experienced the frustration of being targeted twice by criminals who stole gadgets, cash and alcohol bottles while also smashing glass windows and damaging furniture. The situation reached a dangerous climax in the early hours of September 16 when an arson attack targeted both a local wellness centre and an art store.
Bill Bland, husband of wellness centre owner Michele Bland, was awakened at their Bywong home when motion sensor cameras detected movement at the Ellendon Street business. A young man dressed in a jacket was captured on camera pouring petrol from a red can onto the shop door, creating a fuel trail before setting it alight with a lighter. The establishment remains partially destroyed and closed over fears of another attack.
Police Presence Absent as Crimes Escalate
Bungendore's striking historic police station has remained unmanned for two years, with no round-the-clock police presence available to residents. When the arson attack occurred, Queanbeyan police from the Monaro Police District had to travel to investigate the crime scene.
A 47-year-old female resident who preferred to remain anonymous expressed the community's growing concern. I moved to Bungendore 12 years ago, and until a few years ago there was some police. But in the last two years, there is no permanent police presence, and there is no place to even hand over a purse, she told reporters.
Many residents report being extremely concerned about both the surge in crime and the response time after crimes are reported. There is no community policing happening here. No one knows who our officer concerned is, the resident added.
Council Response and Community Hopes
Councillor Ross Macdonald from the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council described the crime situation as both opportunistic and malicious. He identified two main challenges facing Bungendore: the lack of permanent, full-time police presence and the lack of resources and facilities for youth to engage in the community.
Despite the challenges, Macdonald acknowledged that police are doing a great job given the situation. He has approached the NSW Police Minister and the local state member to request additional police presence in the town following the crime surge.
Local residents believe a permanent police presence would drastically change the situation in Bungendore, providing both deterrence and quicker response times when incidents occur.
In response to community concerns, NSW police emphasized that community safety remains their priority. They stated that all police vehicles serve as mobile police stations and can respond based on demand. Officers can return to the police station to speak with community members, attend preferred locations for discussions, or contact residents by telephone as needed.
The police response noted that stations in regional areas have varying operating hours, with smaller sector stations supplemented by after-hours or on-call arrangements to ensure appropriate police response is available to regional communities 24/7.
As Bungendore grapples with its dual identity as both a tourism award winner and a community under strain, residents await concrete solutions that will restore both safety and peace of mind to their charming town just 40 kilometres from Canberra.
