If you keep up with the news, it may seem like crime rates are skyrocketing – but is it really as bad as it seems? The NSW Bureau of Statistics and Research have recently reported that violence and property offences have actually decreased over the last 10 years in New South Wales, and are lower than the national average, which has also dropped over the past decade. As we reach the end of the year and the decade, let’s take a look at the trends in criminal offending locally and Australia-wide.
Australia-wide
Nationally, crime rates are also lower than they were a decade ago. According to the National Crime Victimisation Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there was a drop in cases of physical and threatened assault, and a decrease of 50% for robbery offences when comparing 2017-2018 with the rates in 2008-2009. The national rate of sexual assault offences has remained relatively unchanged.
Unlike the New South Wales statistics, the national survey estimates the proportion of crimes that are not reported to police and thus not present in official statistics. This has the ability to more accurately represent the rates of crimes such as assault or robbery, which are less likely to be reported to police.
New South Wales
State wide, violent offences have decreased slightly over the last 10 years, with property offences declining even more significantly over the past decade.
However, in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, violent offences have remained stable over the last 5 years, while property offences have been on the increase in Newcastle since 2014.
It is not all good news. In NSW as a whole, sexual offences increased by more than 5% in the last 5 years. The offence of stealing from a retail store also increased both locally and state wide.
Over the past 2 years, possession or use of amphetamines in NSW has risen, while dealing or trafficking cannabis offences have increased by 50%. Drug importation offences have also increased significantly over the past two years.
It is important to note that these statistics are based on information from the NSW Police Force records, and only include incidents reported to or detected by police, and consequently, unreported or undetected crimes are not included in the study. Trends in crime may be influenced by factors such as public willingness to report crime, rather than representing the true level of crime in the community. Changes in policing policy may also affect how accurately crime is reflected in the statistics, but ultimately, it is difficult to determine the reasons why some crimes are committed more or less frequently.
How does NSW measure up nationally?
Good news – crime rates in New South Wales are lower than the Australian average. On the other hand, crime in Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory was more prevalent than the national average.
What is the most common offence?
In the most recent national study by the ABS, offenders of illicit drug offences and acts intended to cause injury accounted for the largest number of offenders Australia-wide.
Who are the victims of crime?
Those aged 25-34 are most likely to be a victim of physical assault. People born overseas, as well as those who are unemployed, are also overrepresented as victims of an assault.
Key Takeaways
- NSW and Australia-wide have seen a decrease in violence and property offences over the last decade.
- Newcastle and Hunter Valley report stable violent offences but an increase in property crimes since 2014.
- NSW has witnessed a rise in sexual offences and retail theft, along with amphetamine use and cannabis trafficking.
- National crime rates have also dropped, with physical and threatened assault and robbery cases decreasing.
- NSW crime rates are lower than the Australian average, but higher in Victoria, WA, and the Northern Territory.
- Illicit drug offences and acts intended to cause injury are the most common Australia-wide.
- Individuals aged 25-34, people born overseas, and the unemployed are more likely to be assault victims.
Does gender play a role?
More than 70% of physical assaults experienced by women were perpetrated by men, and the perpetrator was often known to the woman. Though physical assaults of men were most often perpetrated by a stranger, like those against women, they were also most commonly perpetrated by a male.
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, you can contact the team at Hamilton Janke Lawyers 24/7 by calling 4038 1666.
Written By
James Janke
James Janke is founding partner at Hamilton Janke Lawyers, and has more then decade of experience as a Criminal Defence Lawyer. Admitted to both the Supreme Court of New South Wales and High Court of Australia
