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​Community safe as arrests and imprisonment rise

Issued: Thursday, 15 May 2014.

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Increased arrest rates and greater imprisonment rates had driven an increase in the NSW prison population, according to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Attorney General Brad Hazzard said today.

“The number of people arrested has increased even though the crime rate has been consistently falling, and the people of NSW should feel safer than ever.”

He said BOCSAR had found:

  • the number of people arrested has been increasing and

  • a greater proportion of offenders have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

“For example, the number of people sentenced to prison terms for aggravated sexual assault rose by nearly 11 percentage points over the last year, sending a clear message that the community and the courts will not tolerate those who commit sexual assault.”

Mr Hazzard was commenting on the release of the BOCSAR report that highlights the increase in the NSW prison population.

“Ensuring there is room for violent and dangerous offenders in our prisons is a constant challenge, but the NSW Government is committed to ensuring community safety will be paramount.”

“The government will continue to work with a range of agencies to develop short, medium and long term options to respond to this issue while continuing to ensure community safety.