Rise in violent crime as overall crime falls

The overall crime rate was down in the year ended June 30, but a surge in reported family violence offences meant violent crime was up 11 percent.

Annual crime statistics released today for the financial year to June 30 showed 107 more offences were recorded in the year than in the June 2007 year. Adjusted for the population increase in the same period, this was a 1 percent decrease, police said.

Police resolved 9685 more offences in the year, increasing the resolution rate to 47 percent from 44.7 percent in the previous period.

Violence offences rose 11.1 percent -- with the family violence sub-category increasing 29 percent.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls said the increase was due to the It's Not OK campaign and mandatory police training on family violence which prompted an increase in reporting of family violence.

"This (increase) does not necessarily equate to an increase in the prevalence of family violence offending."

In the year ended June 2007, violent crime increased by 4.4 percent.

Drug and anti-social offences increased 5.9 percent.

Nationally, more than half this increase was due to a 22 percent increase in breach of liquor bans, Mr Nicholls said.