New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that Tasmania’s victimisation rate remains the lowest in the country for a number of offences.

Recorded Crime – Victims Australia 2012 contains statistics on crime victimisation for a number of selected offences recorded by police for the 2012 calendar year.

The latest survey shows that Tasmania’s rates for the following offence categories were the lowest in the country:

Manslaughter Sexual Assault Kidnapping / Abduction Armed Robbery Unarmed Robbery Blackmail / Extortion and Other theft.

In the categories of Attempted Murder and Unlawful Entry with Intent, Tasmania’s rates were below the national average.

In 2012 assaults in Tasmania decreased by 5.2% from the previous year. That follows a decrease of 2.9% the previous year. 64.5% of victims of Assault knew their offender. Sexual assault decreased by 28.4% in 2012, following a 24.2% decrease the previous year.

Motor vehicle theft decreased by 22.5% in 2012, following a 4.2% decrease in 2011.

“It is pleasing to see the rate of assaults continues to decrease along with motor vehicle theft and we’ll continue to work with members of the public and other community groups in these areas,” Mr Cowling said.

The national figures show there were 89 armed robberies in 2012, an increase of 29 offences (48.3%) following a 24 offences decrease (28.6%) in 2011.  There have been between 40 and 100 armed robberies recorded for each year from 2002 to 2012. Armed robberies most often involved a knife (53.9%) with firearms used in 20.2% in 2012.

“The number of offences can significantly fluctuate each year as it is a low volume offence type.  In each year from 2000 to 2012 Tasmania’s armed robbery rate was well below the national average,” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Richard Cowling.

“This year the number of armed robberies is currently trending below last year’s figures.

“Tasmania Police prioritises the investigation of these incidents and continues to implement effective strategies to reduce armed robberies and identify and bring offenders before the courts,” he said.

Tasmania’s clearance rates were higher than the national average for all offence categories.