Big Issues Survey: Crime concerns on the rise
Mercury readers have told the Big Issues Survey they are more concerned about crime and convinced sentences are too lenient. Here’s how to have your say.
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Mercury readers are becoming more concerned about crime and more convinced that the sentences passed on convicted criminals are too lenient.
The 2024 edition of the Mercury’s Big Issues Survey has received more than 2500 responses so far.
It is five years since the Mercury first ran the survey, allowing for some interesting comparisons of the views of our readers.
Among the latest results: 64.5 per cent of respondents reported being worried about the level of crime in their community.
In the 2019 edition of the survey the corresponding figure was just 42 per cent.
The growing concern about crime mirrors an increase in offending over the period.
Tasmania Police figures show the total number of offences committed around in the state has risen from 27,386 in 2019/20 to 35,998 in 2023/24 — a 31 per cent increase.
The number of serious crimes rose from 556 to 1204, a 116 per cent increase and clearance rates have fallen.
According to data compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of assault victims rose from 3359 in 2019 to 4089 in 2023, the latest year for which figures are available.
The number of victims of sexual assault rose from 194 to 585 over the same period, robbery victims rose in number from 124 to 263 and vehicle theft rose from 1295 to 1678.
Far more of those who responded to the Big Issues Survey in 2024 are concerned about the sentences handed down in criminal matters.
Five years ago, 39 per cent of respondents felt that the sentences in criminal matters were too lenient, while 55 per cent per cent responded that they were about right.
The proportions have reversed in the ensuing half a decade, with 63 per cent of those responding to the 2024 survey so far saying sentences were too lenient, and 34 per cent saying they were about right.
Respondents to the Big Issues survey felt safer walking the street after dark than five years ago.
In 2019, just 42 per cent of respondents said they felt safe. In this year’s survey to date, 55 per cent say they felt safe.
The result is at odds with Tasmania-wide statistics compiled by police.
The 2023/24 Tasmania Police annual report shows 91 per cent of Tasmanians felt safe in public places during the day and 56 per cent at night. Both figures were above the national average.
But five years ago, the figures were 93 per cent feeling safe in public places during the day and 60 per cent at night.
The survey reflects the views of Mercury readers who elect to respond and would be expected to reflect a Hobart-based populace.
The Big Issues Survey closes on December 31. The full results of all of the questions will appear in the newspaper and online in the following days.
There are 85 questions and many require simply a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. It should take a little more than 10 minutes.
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Originally published as Big Issues Survey: Crime concerns on the rise
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