Growing number of women committing crimes

A higher percentage of women have turned to crime than men in the last decade, according to a new report.

Over the last 10 years, the number of adult females arrested or charged by NSW Police increased by an average of 2.5 percent annually, compared to the total number of male criminals rising only 1.7 percent.

The NSW Bureau of Crime and Statistics Research found drugs were the biggest growth area for female offenders but shoplifting was the most common crime committed, The Daily Telegraph reports.

While shoplifting accounted for 16.3 percent of all female offences, the largest increases were for possession and use of ecstasy (up 21.4 percent), and possession and use of other drugs (up 17.1 percent).

Experts say despite the rise in the number of women committing crimes, they are still far outweighed by the total number of men who commit offences.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.