ABS data shows assaults and robberies in Tasmania skyrocketed

The number of Tasmanians robbed in 2023 was the highest in 31 years and assaults also increased. Read what the data revealed.

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More than 4000 Tasmanians were assaulted last year with 1823, or 45 per cent, related to family and domestic violence, the latest ABS data shows.

The number of Tasmanians robbed also rose markedly to the highest in 31 years with the number of victims of unlawful entry up 31 per cent last year.

Police say there has been an increase in crime, particularly shoplifting, since special Covid payments ended.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides national figures about victims of personal, household and family and domestic violence offences as recorded by police.

The data showed there were 4085 victims of assault recorded in Tasmania, up 303 on 2022 and an increase of 8 per cent with 52 per cent female and more than two- thirds knowing the offender.

Tasmania Police City Station. Emergency. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“Taking into account population change, the victimisation rate also increased from 662 to 713 victims per 100,000 persons in the same period,” the ABS said.

“More than a quarter (26 per cent) were aged between 25 and 34 years at the date of report (1,047 victims) and most assaults occurred at a residential location (52 per cent or 2,115 victims).”

There were 585 victims of sexual assault in Tasmania in 2023 with 86 per cent female and most occurring at a residential location.

The number of victims of robbery jumped 27 per cent to 263, up by 56 with 72 per cent male and the most common age between 10 and 17.

This was the highest recorded number of robbery victims in the 31 years of data collection.

Victims of unlawful entry with intent increased by 31 per cent in 2023 to 3278. However, this was lower than in 2019 with 3372 victims prior to when Covid restrictions were in place.

There were 1678 victims of motor vehicle theft recorded in Tasmania in 2023, an increase of 13 per cent.

Assistant Police Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said nationally there had been a trend of “acquisitive crimes” increasing since the end of income support measures post Covid.

“Shoplifting incidents have been observed growing alongside cost of living pressures,” he said.

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar speaks to the media in Hobart.

“Tasmania Police utilises resources and sets operational priorities in response to identified crime trends.”

Asst-Comm Bodnar said there had been a statewide focus on youth crime and engaging at-risk youth in the “diversionary process at the earliest opportunity and reduce offending”.

He cited specific taskforces across the state to respond quickly to current crime trends and CBD patrols to reduce offending, increase safety and public confidence in shared spaces.

There also was, he said, a renewed focus on bail and curfew checks with police arresting people for bail breaches and operations targeting repeat offenders, who were identified as suspects in multiple crimes.

Crime Stoppers deputy chair Lynn Mason said there had been an 11 per cent increase last year in reports by phone and online.

“There were 20 community contacts a day last year and 52 per cent of the information was acted on by police which means the quality was very good,” she said.

“We’re pleased to see a greater participation by the public in trying to prevent and report crime.”