4510.0 - Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2007 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/06/2008   
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Media Release

June 26, 2008
Embargoed: 11.30 am (AEST)
65/2008

Robbery on the rise in 2007: ABS

There were 18,000 robberies reported to police in 2007, an increase of 600 (4%) compared to 2006 figures, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

A snapshot of robbery:
  • 2007 saw an increase of more than 500 victims (6%) in unarmed robbery.
  • The robbery victimisation rate was 74 victims per 100,000 persons (excludes organisations).
  • Young people were more likely to be a victim of robbery; males aged 15 to 19 years had the highest victimisation rate at 434 victims per 100,000 males
  • Women aged 20 to 24 recorded the highest victimisation rates at 102 victims per 100,000 females.
    • Just under half (46%) of all robberies occurred on a street or footpath and 43% involved the use of a weapon. Knives were the most common choice of weapon comprising 20% of total weapons used.

    Other findings for 2007 include:
    • Recorded number of victims decreased for manslaughter (down 28%), murder (10%), blackmail/extortion (7%), motor vehicle theft (6%), unlawful entry with intent* and other theft (both 5%) compared to 2006.
    • Motor vehicle theft had decreased to its lowest level since national reporting began in 1993 (71,000 vehicles in 2007 compared to 112,000 vehicles in 1993).

    Media Note: This publication presents national crime statistics relating to victims of a selected range of offences that have been recorded by police.
    *Includes break and enter; break, enter & steal; burglary; unlawful entry to structure with intent; ram raiding and smash and grab.

    More details are available in Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 4510.0).