NORTHERN TERRITORY


TOTAL OFFENDERS

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16, the number of offenders in the Northern Territory increased by 2% (279 offenders). This was driven by offenders of Public order offences, the number of which increased by 6% (266 offenders) to 4,432 offenders. (Table 6)


SEX

The Northern Territory had the highest proportion of female offenders of any of the states and territories, representing 28% of offenders in 2015–16. (Tables 8–15)


AGE

In 2015–16, the Northern Territory had the highest median age of any of the states and territories. Since 2008–09, the first year of the time-series, the median age increased from 28 to 31 years. (Table 14)


PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

Between 2008–09 and 2015–16, the number of offenders proceeded against by Northern Territory police increased by 24% (2,296 offenders). Over the same period:

• Acts intended to cause injury increased by 34% (724 offenders)
• Illicit drug offences increased by 60% (510 offenders)
• Public order offences increased by 21% (760 offenders)
• Offences against justice procedures increased by 39% (244 offenders) (Table 6)

YOUTH OFFENDERS

Since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09 to 2015–16 the Northern Territory youth offender rate decreased by 40% from 5,457 to 3,288 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10–17 years. (Table 19)


REPEAT OFFENDERS

Of the selected states and territories, the Northern Territory had the highest proportion of offenders proceeded against on more than one separate occasion during 2015–16 (34% or 4,089 offenders). This was more than double the proportion for the Australian Capital Territory (15% or 442 offenders). (Table 16)

For further information, refer to the other chapters of this publication, or contact the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070. When reporting ABS statistics, please attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.