AGE

Offending rates peaked in the 15 to 19 year age group with a rate of 5,840 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 15 to 19 years in 2009-10. After the age of 15 to 19 years, offending rates decreased in a consistent manner as the offender's age increased. Between 2008-09 and 2009-10, offender rates increased across most age groups, with the exception of 20-24 years (down to 4,411 from 4,416 in 2008-09) and 25-29 years (down to 3,157 from 3,158).

For all age groups, males had higher rates of offending than females. Males aged 15 to 19 years had the highest rate at 8,538 offenders per 100,000 males aged 15 to 19 years. The highest rate for females was also for those aged 15 to 19 years at 2,970 offenders per 100,000 females aged 15 to 19 years. Offending rates increased for all age groups in both sexes with the exception of those aged 20-24 years and 25-29 years for males, and for those aged 30-34 years for females.

Although offender rates decreased for both males and females after the age of 15 to 19 years, for all subsequent age groups the offender rates for males were at least three times higher than those for females. For offenders aged 50 years and over, the ratio of male to female offender rates progressively increased until offender rates of males aged 65 years and over were nearly five times higher than those for females aged 65 years and over.

In addition to overall offender rates varying by age, the type of principal offence that an offender was proceeded against by police varied by age as well. Based on the median age of offenders by each principal offence type, offenders were younger for the offences of unlawful entry with intent (median age 18 years), robbery (median age 19 years) and theft and property damage (median age of 21 years for both offence types). Whereas offenders were older for the offences of sexual assault (median age 32 years), homicide (median age 30 years) and fraud and offences against justice/government (median age 29 years for both offence types).

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