NCJ Number
178559
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Statistical data show that reported crimes in Queensland, Australia, have increased in the 1990's but that the rate of growth for most personal and property crimes has slowed over the past few years.
Abstract
Data compiled by the Queensland Police Service and data from crime victimization surveys indicate some of the increase in reported crimes against the person may have been due to changes in victim reporting behavior and police recording practices, although the evidence showed some increase in the actual incidence of assault. In addition, the incidence of robbery increased markedly. An upward trend was observed in residential break-and-enter rates, but break- and-enters of non-residential properties were less frequent. Theft from the home was the most frequently identified local crime problem. The motor vehicle theft rate was stable for most of the 1990s and fell significantly in 1997-1998. The incidence of reported property damage increased significantly in the first half of the 1990s but later leveled off. Rates for reported crimes against persons tended to be highest in communities with a large indigenous population. Males were substantially more at risk of being victimized by interpersonal violence than females. Young people, indigenous people, and the economically disadvantaged faced a greater than average risk of being victimized by interpersonal violence. Persons whose residences were normally vacant during the day were most at risk of being burglarized. Elderly persons were the least vulnerable to violent crime of any age group and also had a below average risk of being burglarized. Most offenders apprehended by the police were young males. Peak offending ages ranged from 17 to 24 years for crimes against the person and 17 to 19 years for property offenses such as break-and- enter, property damage, and motor vehicle theft. 8 references, 1 table, 6 figures, and 2 maps