Assaults up 1000 a week

http://crusader-rabbit.blogspot.com/2007/11/shockhorror-assaults-up-1000-week.html

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/assaults-up-1000-a-week/2007/11/19/1195321668634.html

November 19, 2007

There has been a sharp rise in the number of assaults over the past year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, which has left the authorities scratching their heads.

The data shows a rise to 241,400 in the year to April, up from 189,700 a year earlier.

Much of the increase is among 15 to 24 year olds, where the percentage assaulted or threatened with assaut rose to 10.2 per cent from 6.8 per cent.

Mr Don Weatherburn, the head of the Bureau of Crime Statistics said he was unsure of the reasons for the rise.

"Why isn't it reflected in the police figures? I'll be writing to the Police Commissioner to ask why," Dr Weatherburn said.

"One explanation is the police aren't reporting all incidents. This is the first time since the early 1990's I've seen a serious discrepancy."