4519.0 - Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2012-13 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/02/2014   
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MEDIA RELEASE
27 February 2014
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
24/2014

Youth offenders decrease by 6 per cent

The number of youth offenders (10-19 year olds) decreased by 6 per cent in 2012-13, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures released today.

ABS Director of Crime and Justice Statistics, William Milne, said today's Recorded Crime – Offenders publication revealed that while the overall number of offenders had increased, the number of youth offenders had decreased over the last year.

"The total number of offenders increased by 4 per cent from last year.

"The offender rate increased from 1,916 offenders per 100,000 people aged 10 years and over to 1,958. In comparison, the youth offender rate decreased from 3,422 offenders per 100,000 persons to 3,221,” said Mr Milne.

During 2012-13, police proceeded against 391,117 offenders, with males accounting for 78 per cent (304,777) of the total. The number of male offenders increased by 4 per cent (12,588) from 2011-12 and the number of female offenders increased by 2 per cent (1,902) over the same period.

The most common principal offence for youth offenders was Theft, accounting for nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all youth offenders. The most common principal offence for the overall population was Public order offences (19 per cent, or 72,703 offenders).

Further information can be found in Recorded Crime - Offenders, Australia 2012–13 (cat. no. 4519.0) available for free download from the ABS website (www.abs.gov.au).

Media notes:

· When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
· Youth offenders are defined as offenders aged between 10 and 19 years old at the time the offence is recorded.