YOUNG PEOPLE

Patterns of crime vary according to age and there are concerns that younger adults are more vulnerable both to becoming involved in a crime, and also to being victimised.

Young offenders of crime

Young people aged 15-24 years are more likely to commit crimes than older people. The reasons why young people commit crimes may include boredom, peer group pressure and risk-taking behaviour (ABS 2008b).

In 2008-09, the rate of offenders in the criminal justice system was highest for people aged 15-19 years at 5,484 offenders per 100,000 people aged 15-19 years. The peak age at which young people had police proceedings brought against them was 18 years. In 2008-09, there were 6,144 offenders per 100,000 people aged 18 years, an increase on 2007-08 figures (5,843 per 100,000 people aged 18 years).

Young people aged 15-19 years in Tasmania and the Northern Territory were more likely to offend (9,482 and 9,122 offenders per 100,000 people aged 15-19 years respectively) than those living in other Australian states and territories in 2008-09.

Young victims of crime

Younger people are also more likely than older people to be the victims of some personal crimes. For more information see the Personal crimes - assault section linked below.