WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TOTAL OFFENDERS

Between 2015–16 and 2016–17, the number of offenders proceeded against by police in Western Australia increased by 5% or 1,778 offenders, from 39,900 offenders in 2015–16 to 41,678 in 2016–17. This was the highest increase nationally.

The offender rate also increased for the same period, from 1,766 to 1,874 offenders per 100,000 persons. (Table 6)


PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

The largest contributor to the increase for this period was Assault, up 13% or 942 offenders. This was the highest annual increase for this offence nationally.

For the same reference period, Western Australia also had the largest increase nationally in the number of offenders with a principal offence of Fraud/deception, up 8% (120 offenders) from 1,491 to 1,611 offenders. Most of the increase was for Obtain benefit by deception (ANZSOC sub division 091), up 14% or 169 offenders.

In 2016–17 Western Australia had the lowest offender rate nationally for Public order offences (133 offenders per 100,000 persons). (Table 6)



SEX

Between 2015–16 and 2016–17, the number of female offenders increased by 7% (698 offenders), the second highest increase nationally, behind Tasmania (up 8% or 178 offenders). The largest contributors to the increase in the number of female offenders in Western Australia were the principal offences of Acts intended to cause injury (up 172 offenders or 10%), Illicit drug offences (up 163 offenders or 6%) and Public order offences (up 117 offenders or 15%). (Tables 7 to 14)

Over the same period, the number of male offenders increased by 4% (1,102 offenders). (Table 11)


YOUTH OFFENDERS

In 2016–17, youth offenders made up 16% of the total offender population in Western Australia, the highest proportion nationally, along with New South Wales.

Over two-thirds of youth offenders in Western Australian had a principal offence in the following four divisions:

• Theft (21% of youth offenders or 1,349 offenders)
• Acts intended to cause injury (18% or 1,204 offenders)
• Unlawful entry with intent (17% or 1,112 offenders)
• Illicit drug offences (13% or 834 offenders) (Table 20)