4519.0 - Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2014-15 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/02/2016   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All


KEY FINDINGS

Australian offender numbers continued to rise
  • The number of offenders proceeded against by police in Australia during 2014-15 increased by 2% (or 6,985 offenders) to a total of 411,686.
  • Abduction/harassment had the largest percentage increase in a principal offence with 16% (or 610 offenders).

Graph Image for OFFENDERS, 2008-09 to 2014-15

Source(s): Recorded Crime - Offenders



Youth offender numbers continued to decrease
  • The number of youth offenders (aged between 10 and 19 years) proceeded against by police in Australia during 2014-15 decreased by 3% (or 2,223 youth offenders) to a total of 85,442.
  • The biggest decrease in a principal offence was Public order offences, which decreased by 2,115 youth offenders (or 15%).
  • The most prevalent principal offence among youth offenders was Theft (24,525 youth offenders, or 29%).

Graph Image for YOUTH OFFENDERS, 2008-09 to 2014-15

Source(s): Recorded Crime - Offenders



Offenders are getting older
  • The number of offenders aged 65 years and over proceeded against by police in Australia during 2014-15 increased by 12% (or 584 offenders) to a total of 5,358 offenders. This was the largest percentage change of all age groups during this period.
  • The median age of offenders has increased from 25 years in 2008-09, the first year of the collection, to 28 years in 2014-15.

Graph Image for OFFENDERS, Median age, 2008-09 to 2014-15

Source(s): Recorded Crime - Offenders



Illicit drugs most prevalent principal offence
  • The most prevalent principal offence in Australia was Illicit drugs (79,070 offenders, or 19%).
  • Offenders with a principal offence of Illicit drugs increased in every state and territory.
  • The number of offenders with a principal offence of Illicit drugs has increased every year since the introduction of national data in 2008-09. This number has risen by 40% since 2008-09, with most of the increase occurring in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Graph Image for OFFENDERS, Principal offence of Illicit drugs, 2008-09 to 2014-15

Source(s): Recorded Crime - Offenders



Of the offenders with a principal offence of Illicit drugs in 2014-15:
  • 52,186 offenders (or 66%) were charged with Possess and/or use illicit drugs;
  • 10,247 offenders (or 13%) were charged with Deal or traffic in illicit drugs; and
  • 6,243 offenders (or 8%) were charged with Manufacture or cultivate illicit drugs.