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Release date: 11 September 2008
Trends in major categories (page 3 of the report)
The latest quarterly crime update released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows that in the 24 months to June 2008.
- Four of the 17 major offence categories were trending downward
- Two were trending upward and
- 11 were stable.
The four offences showing significant downward trends were robbery with a weapon not a firearm (down 17.1%), break and enter - non-dwelling (down 7.4%), motor vehicle theft (down 5.1%) and s teal from dwelling (down 9.5%). The two offences showing significant upward trends were steal from motor vehicle (up 5.5%) and fraud (up 9.9%).
The upward trends in steal from motor vehicle and fraud offences are largely attributable to higher petrol prices. Offenders have been stealing number plates (hence the increase in stealing from a motor vehicle) and fixing these to their own vehicle to prevent detection when driving off from service stations without paying for their fuel (technically a form of fraud).
Trends in other categories (page 4 of the report)
In the 24 months to June 2008:
- Ten of the remaining offence categories were trending upward, three were trending downward and 29 were stable. Two had insufficient recorded criminal incidents for a reliable trend test to be performed.
- The 10 offences trending upward were possession/use of narcotics (up 23.0%), possession/use of cannabis (up 7.8%), possession/use of ecstasy (up 30.2%), possession/use of other drugs (up 16.5%), offensive conduct (up 27.5%), offensive language (up 18.5%), breach bail conditions (up 26.7%), fail to appear (up 34.6%), resist or hinder officer (up 11.0%) and transport regulatory offences (up 12%).
- The three offences showing significant downward trends were other offences against the person (down 12.9%), other theft (down 7.9%) and arson (down 6.4%).
Because there is a close relationship between arrests for possession/use of narcotics and emergency department admissions for narcotics overdose, the upward trend in narcotics is likely to reflect an increase in narcotic use. The same may be true of increases in arrests for possession and use of other drugs.
The changes to offensive conduct, offensive language, breach bail conditions, fail to appear and resist or hinder officer, on the other hand, are most likely a result of police enforcement activity.
Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn 0419-494-408, 9231-9190.
Copies of the report: www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au