Almost half of those refused bail by NSW police are later released by courts, report shows

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that over a three-month period of 2023, 44% of those refused bail by police were later granted bail by courts. Photograph: AAP

Almost half of the people who are refused bail by New South Wales police are later released by the courts, according to a new report, with police wanting to avoid the responsibility of a poor bail decision.

The report, by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (Bocsar), observed the bail hearings of 252 defendants held in the NSW local court between February and May 2023.