The line graph illustrates the changes in the rate of total crime arrest among people under 18 in urban, suburban and rural areas between 1995 and 1998.
Overall, the suburban area experienced considerable fluctuations, while arrest rates in both urban and rural areas declined overall by the end of the period.
Looking first at the suburban area, which showed the greatest fluctuation, the arrest rate rising sharply from 2% in 1995 to around 8% in 1996. Subsequently, the rate fell sharply to around -2% in 1997 before recovering to approximately 0% in 1998.
Turning to the rural and urban areas, both began at relatively low levels, at around 3% and just above 0%, respectively, and followed a broadly similar pattern before declining by the end of the period. Both rates rose slightly in 1996, although the increase was more pronounced in the rural area. After this slight increase, the arrest rates in both areas fell considerably, reaching around -4% in the rural area and -2% in the urban area.
