Female offending: has there been an increase?

New research by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows that the number of females proceeded against by police increased substantially over the last decade. According to the Director of the Bureau however, much of the increase could be due to tougher law enforcement rather than increased crime. The number of females proceeded against by police increased by 15 per cent over the 10 years to June 2009. Over the same period, the number of male offenders proceeded against remained stable. The offences having the largest increases in the number of females proceeded against were breach of bail conditions (up 14% per annum), domestic violence assault (up 12% per annum), liquor offences (up 8% per annum), breach of apprehended violence orders (up 6% per annum), malicious damage to property (up 4% per annum) and offensive behavior (up 3% per annum).