RECORDED CRIME - OFFENDERS, 2014-15 - WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TOTAL OFFENDERS

• In 2014-15, there were 33,023 offenders in Western Australia, which represented an increase of 7% (or 2,263 offenders) from 2013-14. This was the largest percentage increase of any state and territory.
• The (crude) offender rate increased by 6% from 1,396 in 2013-14 to 1,478 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over in 2014-15.

SEX

• Between 2013-14 and 2014-15 the number of male offenders increased by 7% (or 1,609 offenders) to 25,081, and the number of female offenders increased by 11% (or 805 offenders) to 7,880.
• The male offender rate was approximately three times the female offender rate (2,225 male offenders per 100,000 males compared to 711 female offenders per 100,000 females).
• Females made up nearly a quarter (24%) of all offenders in Western Australia. Only the Northern Territory (28%) had a higher proportion of female offenders.

AGE

• Between 2013-14 and 2014-15 the median age of offenders increased 1 year to 30 years. Western Australia (along with South Australia) had the second oldest median offender age behind the Northern Territory.
• The age group with the highest offender rate was offenders aged 20-24 years (3,345 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 20-24 years)

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PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

In 2014-15, the five most common principal offences in Western Australia were:

• Illicit drug offences (7,088 offenders, or 21%);
• Acts intended to cause injury (6,072 offenders, or 18%);
• Public order offences (3,444 offenders, or 10%);
• Offences against justice (3,335 offenders, or 10%); and
• Theft (3,185 offenders, or 10%).

Compared to 2013-14, Illicit drug offences increased by 23% (or 1,303 offenders) and Prohibited/regulated weapons offences increased by 36% (or 412 offenders) in 2014-15. Western Australia had the largest proportional increases for those two offence divisions out of all states and territories. Acts intended to cause injury increased by 3% (or 184 offenders) - the first time it has increased since Western Australian data were first published in 2008-09. The 2014-15 cycle was also the first in which Acts intended to cause injury was not the most prevalent principal offence in Western Australia.

Of all states and territories, Western Australia had the highest offender rate for Robbery/extortion (33 offenders per 100,000 persons) and Fraud offences (99 offenders per 100,000 persons), and the lowest offender rate for Public order offences (154 offenders per 100,000 persons).



YOUTH OFFENDERS

• In 2014-15, 14% (or 4,749) of offenders were aged 10-19 years. This was the second lowest proportion of youth offenders across the states and territories, ahead of the Northern Territory (12%).
• Between 2013-14 and 2014-15, the number of youth offenders decreased by 5% (or 248 offenders) from 4,997 to 4,749. This was the fifth consecutive cycle in which the number of youth offenders has decreased in Western Australia.
• The most prevalent principle offence for youth offenders was Acts intended to cause injury, making up 18% (or 864 offenders) of the youth offenders total.

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.