Crime in Australia

Crime in Australia is combated by the Australian police and other agencies.

The number of offenders proceeded against by police during 2013–2014 increased by 4%.

In 2013–2014 the offender rate, which is the number of offenders in the population of Australia, increased by 2%. The number of Youth offenders fell by 4%.

The most prevalent offences are Public Disorder offences, followed by illicit drug offences. The largest percentage increase are sexual assault and related offences which increased by 19%.

From the National Australian Homicide Monitoring program report 2012: "The homicide rate has continued to decline each year, since 1989-90. The periods 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 are the lowest homicide rate since data collection began in 1989".

Crime statistics

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that during the 2009/10 year police took action against 375,259 people, up by 4.8 percent from 2008/09 figures. Young offenders aged 10 to 19 comprised about 29 percent of the total offender population across Australia. In the 2009/10 financial year, 84,100 women had police action taken against them across Australia, up by six percent compared with the previous year. 290,400 men had police action taken against them in 2009/10, an annual increase of 4 percent. About 30 percent of the women were accused of theft, whereas the most common principal offence for men was intention to cause injury and matters related to public order. Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology, shows that from 1990 until the middle of 2011, 40 percent of people who were fatally shot by police were suffering from a mental illness. In NSW, the fatalities included Adam Salter (shot dead in Sydney in 2009); Elijah Holcombe (shot dead in Armidale in 2009); and Roni Levi (shot dead on Bondi Beach in 1997). In Victoria, the fatalities included the 2008 highly controversial shooting death of Tyler Cassidy. At age 15, Cassidy is believed to be the youngest person ever shot dead by police in Australia. As of 2010, the homicide rate of Australia is 1.2 per 100,000.

2013–2014

Between 2013 and 2014, in Australia, the number of victims for the majority of offence categories decreased:

• Homicide (decrease of 3.0% or 13 victims);
• Kidnapping/abduction (decrease of 7.7% or 46 victims);
• Robbery (decrease of 16% or 1,825 victims);
• Unlawful entry with intent (decrease of 6.5% or 12,650 victims);
• Motor vehicle theft (decrease of 4.4% or 2,322 victims);
• Other theft (decrease of 1.7% or 8,324 victims).

In contrast, there was an increase between 2013 and 2014 in the number of victims for the following offences:

• Sexual assault (increase of 3.3% or 652 victims);
• Blackmail/extortion (increase of 3.5% or 18 victims)

Murder

There were 238 reported murder victims in Australia during 2014, compared to 245 in 2013.

In Australia during 2014:

• The murder victimisation rate fell to a five-year low of 1.0 victim per 100,000 persons;
• Nearly two in three victims of murder (61% or 146 victims) were male;
• The proportion of murder victims was largest for males aged between 35 and 44 years (16% or 38 victims) and males aged between 25 and 34 years (11% or 27 victims);
• Two in three murders (66% or 158 victims) occurred at a residential location;
• Of weapons used in murder, a knife was the most common (44% or 69 victims); and
• Over three-quarters (77%) of all murder investigations (184 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Attempted murder

The number of attempted murder victims in Australia decreased from 164 in 2013 to a five-year low of 151 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The attempted murder victimisation rate dropped slightly to 0.6 victims per 100,000 persons, compared with 0.7 victims per 100,000 persons in 2013;
• About two in three victims of attempted murder (68% or 102 victims) were male;
• Males aged between 35 and 44 years accounted for the largest proportion of attempted murder victims (19% or 29 victims);
• Nearly two in three attempted murders (62% or 93 victims) occurred at a residential location;
• Of weapons used in attempted murder, the most common were a firearm (38% or 42 victims) and a knife (36% or 40 victims); and
• 74% of all attempted murder investigations (111 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Manslaughter

There were 24 manslaughter victims in Australia in 2014, compared to 23 in 2013.

In Australia during 2014:

• The manslaughter victimisation rate was 0.1 victims per 100,000 persons for the second consecutive year; and
• 71% of all manslaughter investigations (17 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Sexual assault

There was a 3.3% increase in the number of sexual assault victims in Australia, from 20,025 in 2013 to a five year high of 20,677 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The sexual assault victimisation rate increased to a five year high of 88 victims per 100,000 persons;
• The majority of sexual assault victims (83% or 17,072 victims) were female;
• Persons aged 19 years and under accounted for 60% (12,446 victims) of all victims of sexual assault;
• Over a quarter (29% or 1,014 victims) of male sexual assault victims were aged 0–9 years;
• Over two-thirds (68% or 14,105 victims) of sexual assaults occurred at a residential location; and
• 41% of all sexual assault investigations (8,507 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days

Kidnapping

There was a 7.7% decrease in the number of kidnapping/abduction victims in Australia, from 596 in 2013 to a five-year low of 550 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The kidnapping/abduction victimisation rate decreased to a five-year low of 2.3 victims per 100,000 persons;
• The decrease in the number of kidnapping/abduction victims was largest for persons aged between 10 and 14 years (down 47% or 51 victims from 2013);
• Females accounted for a slightly larger proportion of all kidnapping/abduction victims (57% or 315 victims);
• Private dwellings were the most common location for kidnapping/abduction to occur +(39% or 214 victims); and
• Just over half (51%) of all kidnapping/abduction investigations (280 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Robbery

There was a 16% decrease in the number of robbery victims (both person and non-person victims) in Australia, from 11,711 in 2013 to a five-year low of 9,886 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• Street/footpath was the most common location for robbery to occur (37% or 3,707 victims);
• Of weapons used in robbery, a knife was the most common (48% or 2,312 victims); and
• 38% of all robbery investigations (3,726 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Of total robbery victims, 82% (8,130 victims) were persons, and of these:

• 72% (5,864 victims) were male; and
• Persons aged between 25 and 34 years accounted for the largest proportion (24% or 1,932 victims).

Armed robbery

There was a 14% decrease in the number of armed robbery victims (both person and non-person victims) in Australia, from 5,631 in 2013 to a five-year low of 4,855 in 2014. Of total armed robbery victims, 72% (3,505 victims) were persons, and of these:

• Just over three in four victims (76% or 2,679 victims) were male; and
• Persons aged between 25 and 34 years accounted for the largest proportion of armed robbery victims (26% or 896 victims).

Unarmed robbery

There was a 17% decrease in the number of unarmed robbery victims (both person and non-person victims) in Australia, from 6,076 in 2013 to a five-year low of 5,033 in 2014. Of total unarmed robbery victims, 92% (4,627 victims) were persons, and of these:

• Just over two in three victims (69% or 3,187 victims) were male; and
• Persons aged 25 to 34 years of age accounted for the largest proportion of unarmed robbery victims (22% or 1,033 victims).

Blackmail and extortion

There was a 3.5% increase in the number of blackmail/extortion victims (both person and non-person victims) in Australia, from 509 in 2013 to a five year high of 527 in 2014. During 2014, 40% of all blackmail/extortion investigations (211 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Of total blackmail/extortion victims in 2014, 93% (492 victims) were persons, and of these:

• Nearly three-quarters of victims (73% or 361) were male; and
• Persons aged 25 to 34 years accounted for the largest proportion of blackmail/extortion victims (24% or 119 victims).

Unlawful entry with intent

There was a 6.5% decrease in the number of victims of unlawful entry with intent in Australia, from 194,529 in 2013 to a five-year low of 181,879 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The most common location for unlawful entry with intent to occur was a residential location (71% or 129,941 victims);
• Nearly seven in ten victims of unlawful entry with intent had property taken (68% or 122,952 victims); and
• 11% of all unlawful entry with intent investigations (20,051 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Motor vehicle theft

There was a 4.4% decrease in the number of victims of motor vehicle theft in Australia, from 52,508 in 2013 to a five-year low of 50,186 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The most common location in which motor vehicle theft occurred was an outbuilding or residential land (46% or 22,872 victims); and
• 17% of all motor vehicle theft investigations (8,594 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Other theft

There was a 1.7% decrease in the number of victims of other theft in Australia, from 493,540 in 2013 to 485,216 in 2014. 

In Australia during 2014:

• The most common location for other theft to occur was a retail location (33% or 159,349 victims); and
• 36% of all other theft investigations (175,271 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

Place of Birth

The Australian Bureau of Statistics regularly publishes characteristics of those incarcerated including country of birth. The 2014 figures show that in general Australians have a higher percentage when compared to their proportion of the population but amongst foreigners, some nations have higher rates than both the average and Australians particularly in relation to homicide.

Prisoner Characteristics 2014

Country of Birth	Homicide and related offences%	All Crime%	National Population%
Australia	76.3	81.1	69.8
New Zealand	3.3	3.0	2.2
Vietnam	2.1	2.3	0.9
United Kingdom	3.2	1.8	5.1
China	0.9	0.7	1.5
Lebanon	0.6	0.6	0.4
Sudan	0.3	0.4	0.1
Iraq	0.6	0.4	0.2
Philippines	0.5	0.4	0.8
Fiji	0.5	0.4	0.3
Other	10.0	7.9	18.7

Crime by State and territory

Australian Capital Territory

Main article: Crime in the Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Main article: Crime in New South Wales

• Crime in Sydney

Northern Territory

Main article: Crime in the Northern Territory

• Crime in Alice Springs

Queensland

Main article: Crime in Queensland

• Crime in Brisbane

South Australia

Main article: Crime in South Australia

• Crime in Adelaide

Tasmania

Main article: Crime in Tasmania

Victoria

Main article: Crime in Victoria

Crime in Victoria from 2010 to 2014. Type of crime 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Homicide and related offences 99 96 89 82 106 Murder 47 53 45 46 58 Attempted murder 49 34 32 30 36 Manslaughter 3 9 17 8 8 Sexual assault 3,629 4,021 4,149 3,920 4,169 Kidnapping/abduction 116 108 120 138 122 Robbery 3,015 3,299 2,975 2,605 2,286 Armed robbery 1,438 1,639 1,529 1,365 1,142 Unarmed robbery 1,574 1,659 1,451 1,237 1,147 Blackmail/extortion 137 119 145 173 154 Unlawful entry with intent 44,410 43,747 47,461 44,915 44,457 Involving the taking of property 31,232 30,987 33,360 31,362 30,446 Other 13,184 12,755 14,099 13,547 14,012 Motor vehicle theft 12,271 12,322 13,593 12,051 13,227 Other theft 111,6334 110,384 115,008 110,568 111,274

Western Australia

Main article: Crime in Western Australia

History

Convicts

Main article: Convicts in Australia

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, large numbers of convicts were transported to the various Australian penal colonies by the British government. One of the primary reasons for the British settlement of Australia was the establishment of a penal colony to alleviate pressure on their overburdened correctional facilities. Over the 80 years more than 165,000 convicts were transported to Australia. Discipline was poor among the early convicts, with high rates of theft, physical and sexual assault. Law enforcement was initially the preserve of the New South Wales Marine Corps, which accompanied the First Fleet. Australia's first civilian crime prevention force was established in August 1789, comprising a twelve-man night watch authorised to patrol the settlement at Sydney Cove and with powers "for the apprehending and securing for examination" anyone suspected of "felony, trespass or misdemeanour."

Bushrangers of Australia

Main article: Bushranger

Bushrangers were criminals who used the Australian bush as a refuge to hide from authorities between committing their robberies, roughly analogous to the British "highwayman" and American "Old West outlaws". Their targets often included small-town banks or coach services. The term "bushranger" evolved to refer to those who abandoned social rights and privileges to take up "robbery under arms" as a way of life, using the bush as their base.

Riots in Australia

See also: Civil disturbances in Western Australia

• Lambing Flat riots of 1860-1861
• Bathurst Riots
• 2004 Palm Island riots
• 2004 Redfern riots
• 2005 Macquarie Fields riots
• 2005 Cronulla riots

Law enforcement in Australia

Main article: Law enforcement in Australia

Law enforcement in Australia is served by police, sheriffs and bailiffs under the control of state, territory and the Federal governments. A number of state, territory and federal agencies also administer a wide variety of legislation related to white-collar crime. The Police are responsible for the criminal law. The sheriff and bailiffs in each state and territory are responsible for the enforcement of the judgments of the courts exercising civil law (common law) jurisdictions. It is a common misconception that in Australia there are two distinct levels of police forces, the various state police forces and then overriding that, the Australian Federal Police (AFP). In actuality, the various state police forces are responsible for enforcing state law within their own states while the AFP are responsible for the enforcement of and investigation of crimes against Commonwealth law which applies across the whole country.

Australia's Gun Control Laws and the Debate with US Gun Control Laws

Recent mass murders committed in the United States, including those that have taken place in schools, churches and a movie theatre, have re-ignited the debate on gun control laws and Australia's gun control laws have been held up as an example of a workable solution for the safer management of guns and gun licensing by citizens of the United States, and some of the members of Congress - "Crime statistics before and after the implementation of gun laws provide a quantifiable measure of their impact. As a consequence, Australia's gun laws and their impact have become part of the American gun debate. " The gun buy-back program which was implemented in 1996, purchased and destroyed mostly semi-automatic and pump action firearms.

Civic organisations

• Neighbourhood Watch
• Crime Victims Support Association

Punishment

Main article: Punishment in Australia

Major crimes in Australia

Further information: Timeline of major crimes in Australia and List of Australian criminals

Australian crime related books and media

Further information: List of Australian crime related books and media

See also

• Australian court hierarchy
• Collateral consequences of criminal conviction in Australia
• Domestic violence in Australia
• Illicit drug use in Australia
• Indigenous Australians and crime
• Terrorism in Australia

External links

• Australian Institute of Criminology
• List of criminal markets in Australia-Havocscope Black Markets