COCAINE offences have increased almost 150 per cent in Double Bay in the first full year of statistics since lockout laws were introduced.

The rate of offences per 100,000 people for possession or use of cocaine in Double Bay has increased from 770 to almost 1870 in the year ending September 2015, the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures show.

Rose Bay police Commander Brad Hodder said: “The perceived increase of cocaine in the area is attributed to my command actively policing this area. This has been achieved by conducting drug dog operations and police being proactive in general.

“Police conduct proactive operations, licensing operations and have a good working relationship with the local liquor accord.”

media_camera Brad Hodder says offences are up because of good police work.

Meanwhile, offences for use and possession of the party drug in Sydney’s traditional hot spots declined in the year from September 2014 to September 2015.

In Potts Point the rate dropped over the same period from 1646 to 1164 offences per 100,000.

Double Bay, which had a total of 97 arrests in the year to last September, rivalled the Kings Cross district in its heyday, which averaged just over 100 arrests annually for the three years prior to the 1.30am lockouts, introduced in February 2014.

The statistics come a week after nightclub king John Ibrahim predicted Double Bay would be Sydney’s new hot spot if lockouts remained. Vaucluse MP and Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton declined to comment on the rising figures.

She said in a statement: “Double Bay is a fantastic place. It has a vibrant and safe night life with a variety of restaurants, bars, hotels and cafes.

“There is no suggestion of an extension of the lockout laws to Double Bay.”

media_camera John Ibrahim at the Keep Sydney Open rally anti-lockout laws rally at Hyde Park earlier this year. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Woollahra councillor and chairwoman of the Double Bay Chamber of Commerce Katherine O’Regan said the increase in cocaine offences was “alarming” and “a real concern”.

“It isn’t the sort of behaviour you would want to see in Double Bay and I am sure the police are capable of addressing that,” she said.

BOCSAR director Dr Don Weatherburn declined to comment.

Woollahra Mayor Toni Zeltzer, a ward councillor for Double Bay, also declined to comment on the increase.

The council noted the increased night life in November 2014 when it ordered a review into the need for CCTV cameras in Double Bay.

More than a year later the review has not been finalised.

“Our CCTV report has taken time to complete as we have been researching the CCTV measures already in place and the feasibility of introducing new CCTV capability as a resource to assist police,” Cr Zeltzer said.

“An external consultant has completed a technical report and we are currently investigating funding sources prior to reporting to council in a months’ time.”

media_camera Councillor Katherin O'Regan at Double Bay. Picture: Craig Wilson

ROUNDTABLE ON SAFETY:

Double Bay Chamber of Commerce will take the battle against anti-social behaviour to the streets.

It will host a community roundtable on Tuesday with members of the business, residential and policing community.

At 8pm on Wednesday it will host a walkabout with police starting at Guilfoyle Park, to give locals the opportunity to speak about concerns.

It has also created a program called “Safe Smart Share Double Bay” which is under review for a state government grant.

“It is very much around two things — preventing any anti-social behaviour and the other is about perceptions,” said Cr Katherine O’Regan.

“If people are feeling unsafe and there is a perception of the area being unsafe, we want to ... make sure it feels like a safe and inclusive place.”