Latest annual figures from NSW Crime Statistics show the Yass Valley local government area remains relatively quiet, with malicious damage the most common criminal offence for the 12 months to September this year.

That increased around 15 per cent on the same time the previous year.

Stealing is slightly down across the Yass Valley, with stealing from a retail store and stealing from a dwelling down by around 50 per cent. Stealing from a vehicle is also down from 35 instances in the 12 months to September 2011, to 28 in the following 12 months.

Although down, the overall trend remains stable for the area.

There were 26 domestic violence assaults reported, stable from previous years, and 37 non-domestic assaults reported, also stable. This figure was a big improvement on 2007 when 64 were reported.

There were six sexual assaults reported last year, compared with nine in the previous 12 months.

Indecent assault, acts of indecency and other sexual offences numbered five in the 12 months to September this year. Down on the 10 recorded in the previous year, 13 in 2009 and nine in 2008.

 Increase in malicious damage

The most frequently reported crime in the Yass Valley was malicious damage to property, with 121 incidents in the year to September 2012.

This was up 15 per cent on the previous 12 months but slightly down on previous years, with 156 cases in 2009, 169 cases in 2008 and 265 cases in 2007.

There were no robberies with or without a weapon.

 Break-ins

The number of break-ins at dwellings, although one more incident than the previous 12 months, has slowly declined over the years, with 22 in 2010, and 54 in 2009. The figure for break and enters into non-dwellings was slightly down in the year to September, at 10 cases, six less than the 12 months prior.

 Thefts, about the same

Motor vehicle theft remained similar in 2012, with 11 vehicles stolen. The number of thefts of items from vehicles was down, with 28 in the 12 months to September, compared with 35 the previous year.

There were very few thefts from retail stores, with just seven, and stealing from dwellings dropped slightly, with 25 cases reported.

There were no incidents involving theft from a person.

Local offenders assaulted police three times during 2011.

There were 38 incidents of harassment, threatening behaviour or private nuisance, stable from previous years.

No abduction and kidnapping cases were reported in the Yass Valley last year.

There was one report of blackmail and extortion in the 12 months to September this year.

There were nine cases of arson from October last year to September this year, up from seven the previous year and four in 2010.

The most common drug offences were 33 cases of possessing and/or using cannabis, and four cases of possessing and/or using amphetamines, up from one the previous 12 months.

There were no betting or gaming offences.

The number of prohibited and regulated weapons offences were stable, increasing from 25 to 26 cases over the 12 months.

Liquor offences were down, with 11 offences this year, compared with 34 the previous 12 months and 38 incidents in 2010.

There were two pornography offences reported, equal to the previous 12 months.

Several people offended against the justice system, with four breaching an apprehended violence order, seven breaching bail conditions and seven resisting or hindering police.