Crime is not always reported to the police, with many factors influencing whether or not a crime is reported. In particular, rates of reporting to the police vary depending on the type of offence. People are much more likely to report crimes against property to the police (a requirement for any associated insurance claim) than crimes against the person (i.e. assault).
VICTIMS OF HOUSEHOLD CRIME, Whether Told Police About Most Recent Incident, Tasmania |
|
| 2002
| Reporting rate(a)(b)
|
| Police told | Police not told | Total victims | 1998 | 2002 |
Offence |
'000
|
'000
|
'000
|
%
|
%
|
|
Break-in | 7.8 | *2.0 | 9.9 | 77.8 | 79.3 |
Attempted break-in | **1.8 | *4.4 | *6.2 | 41.9 | **28.8 |
Motor vehicle theft | *2.6 | **0.4 | 3.0 | 86.2 | *87.4 |
|
* estimate has a relative standard error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution
** estimate has a relative standard error of greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use
(a) The reporting rate is the number of victims who told police, expressed as a percentage of all victims in that category.
(b) Household victims.
Source: Crime and Safety, Australia (cat. no. 4509.0). |