The Government Statistician’s Office has released an independent report which showed the rate of youth and adult offending to be at its lowest on record over the 10-year period of record-keeping.
The report analyses crime statistics from the 2021-22 financial year, finding the rate of child offending had continued its steady decline. There were also more than 20 per cent fewer youth offenders in 2021-22, compared to 2012-13.
While the rate of adult offending had continually been higher than that of other offending rates throughout the time series, it too declined to its lowest level in 10 years.
Minister for Police, Mark Ryan said crime statistics would always fluctuate “but what will never change is the determination of the police to target those who wish to do harm to the community”.
“While the rate of youth offences and rate of adult offences have declined according to the report, the reality is that there is a hard-core group of recidivist offenders who have to be held accountable,” Mr Ryan said.
Police Commissioner, Katarina Carroll said that despite the State’s strong population growth, the report indicates a sustained decline in the rate of both youth and adult offending.
“Police are constantly assessing emerging crime issues and implementing a range of proactive strategies to disrupt and prevent offences occurring at a local level,” Commissioner Carroll said.
