ABS National Recorded Crime Statistics - 1997 (BCSR Commentary)

Release date: 15 July 1998

The upward trend in property crime presently occurring in NSW appears to be part of an Australia-wide trend, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The ABS figures show trends in crime recorded by police in every Australian State and Territory over the period 1996-1997.

Police in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia all recorded an increase in the rate of armed robbery.

The largest increase (+ 63%) occurred in New South Wales. However the increases in some other States were also quite substantial.

Victoria recorded an increase in the rate of armed robbery of 38 per cent, Queensland recorded an increase of 34 per cent, South Australia recorded an increase of 10 per cent and Western Australia recorded an increase of 7 per cent.

New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia also recorded increases in unarmed robbery (+29%, +19% and +40%, respectively).

Other States have also experienced the increase in break and enter and vehicle theft announced earlier this year in New South Wales.

Recorded rates of break and enter rose by eight per cent in NSW and 4 per cent in Victoria. Recorded rates of motor vehicle theft rose by 11 per cent in NSW, six per cent in Western Australia and five per cent in Victoria.

Commenting on these figures, the Director of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Dr Don Weatherburn, said that they suggested that the underlying causes of the upward trend in property crime in New South Wales were probably national rather than State-based.

“They also highlight the need for a nationally coordinated approach to the development of strategies for reducing the level of property crime.”

Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn (02) 9231 9190 (wk) / 0419 494 408 (mob)