YOUTH OFFENDERS
In 2010-11, Tasmania and the Northern Territory continued to have the highest youth offender rates per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years. Tasmania's youth offender rate decreased slightly from 6,022 in 2009-10 to 5,557 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years in 2010-11. The youth offender rate in the Northern Territory recorded the largest decrease from 6,441 in 2009-10 to 4,859 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years in 2010-11. Compared with 2009-10, youth offender rates for 2010-11 decreased in Queensland and Western Australia, increased in New South Wales, and recorded minimal change in Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. (Table 3.7)
Youth offender rate(a), States and territories
- 2008-09 to 2010-11
Principal offence
Consistent with the overall offender population, the principal offence that is most predominant for youth offenders and associated offender rates varies in each jurisdiction. The predominant principal offences that offenders aged 10 to 19 years were proceeded against in 2010-11 within each state and territory, as measured by the offender rates per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years, were:
- Theft in New South Wales (1,161), Queensland (964), Victoria (946), Western Australia (803) and the Australian Capital Territory (627);
- Public order offences in Tasmania (2,051) and Northern Territory (986); and
- Illicit drug offences in South Australia (907). (Table 3.5)
Youth offender rate(a), Selected principal offence by states and territories