The number of females arrested in New South Wales is rising faster than the number of males arrested, according to crime statisticians who cite shoplifting as a factor.

Figures from the Bureau of Crime Statistics indicate that the number of adult women in trouble with the law rose on average 2.5 per cent every year between 2003 and 2013.

In the same period, the number of men arrested rose only 1.7 per cent.

Shoplifting was the crime women were most commonly charged with, followed by assault.

Most adult and juvenile females were arrested for shoplifting and assault, however there was no overall increase in the number of offending juveniles.

Figures rose, stabilised, then fell, so that by 2013, the number of juvenile offenders was only slightly higher than in 2003.

Experts said there was no evidence to suggest that women were becoming more violent or criminal.

Bureau director Don Weatherburn said the number of women charged with drug offences, such as possession or recreational drug use, was on the rise.

However, he said the figures were likely reflective of changes in policing rather than increased drug use.

"Because there's no sign in the national surveys of drug use, nor any sign in the monitoring done by NDARC that female drug use has gone up, so unless the surveys are wrong or unless the research is wrong, I'd say it's most likely increased enforcement'" he said.

And overall, female offenders made up less than one-fifth of what the workload police deal with.