What is the Crime Rate in Perth, Western Australia in 2024?

Perth Crime Statistics: What Do the Numbers Say in 2024?

Overall crime rate

Recent information shows that there were a total of 292,605 reported crimes in Perth, which is a small 1.6% increase from 2023. The downward trend in economic conditions resulting in the cost of living crisis may have driven people to commit more opportunistic crimes, while improved law enforcement initiatives and community programs may have resulted in more crimes being reported, according to the Western Australia Police report featured on WAtoday. 

The overall picture is worse if you look at the data through the years. Crime rates have been on the rise since 2015, with a large spike in 2023. 

Selected Offences Against the Person

These are offences where force or harm is directed at another person. Here are the selected highlights of those cases:

• Assaults (family and non-family) – 1,410 in 2024, compared to 1,269 in 2022.
• Threatening behaviour – 415 in 2024, compared to  238 in 2022.
• Robberies – 78 in 2024, compared to 74 in 2022. 
• Sexual offences – 396 in 2024, compared to 173 in 2022. 

Selected Offences Against Property

These are offences that concern the destruction, damage, or theft of property:

• Stealing, including motor vehicles – 3,341 in 2024 compared to 3,262 in 2022.
• Property damage – 467 in 2024, slightly lower than 574 in 2022.
• Burglaries – 234 in 2024, similar to 237 in 2022.
• Arson – 22 in 2024, higher than 12 in 2022.

Detected Offences

These are offences captured through video footage or images:

• Drug offences – 2,026 in 2024, compared to 1,284 in 2022.
• Receiving and possessing stolen property – 457 in 2024, compared to 222 in 2022.
• Regulated weapon offences – 197 in 2024, compared to 133 in 2022.

Miscellaneous Offences

These are behaviours against the administration of law and justice and against public authority:

• Fraud and related offences – 1,457 in 2024, compared to 1,371 in 2022.
• Graffiti – 252 in 2024, compared to 231 in 2022.

Which Suburbs in Perth Recorded the Highest Crime Rates in 2024?

So, let’s proceed to the crime rate numbers per suburb in the Perth metropolitan area. The areas of Northbridge and Perth top the list, since these are entertainment areas that both receive a lot of visitors, some of which don’t abide by the law.

Here are the numbers per 1000 people:

What Are the Safest Suburbs in Perth?

On the contrary, here is the list of suburbs deemed the safest. 

What Are Different Factors Influencing Crime in Perth?

The Western Australia Police pointed out that presence of infrastructure such as shopping centres and entertainment precincts tend to attract visitors exhibiting criminal behaviour, which explains why small suburbs report a lot of crime offences despite having a small population. 

Socioeconomic factors, such as the increase in cost of living, inflation, and limited access to public housing, also come into play. 

Another factor that influences increased crime reporting is the widespread adoption of security devices like CCTVs in homes and commercial areas. 

What Are the Most Effective Crime Prevention Strategies Used in Perth?

Policing and Law Enforcement Strategies

Police presence and law enforcement are still the biggest factor in crime deterrence. However, community participation is also an important key.

• Targeted policing operations – there are ongoing police operations targeted at drug trafficking and anti-social behaviour in hotspots such as Armadale, Rockingham, and Northbridge.
• Community policing initiatives – some suburbs in Perth like in Mandurah have active neighborhood watch initiatives aimed at controlling burglaries.
• Surveillance and Technology-Assisted Policing – using AI-powered CCTV systems and drone surveillance to detect and report suspicious behaviour.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Another aspect of crime prevention being explored is through environmental design, which uses urban and architectural designs aimed to reduce victimization and deter offenders.

• Improved street lighting – one of the oldest tactics in crime deterrence, as well-designed lighting in urban areas reduces crime opportunities.
• CCTV expansion in public spaces – installation of CCTVs in public spaces, especially with ones using AI with facial recognition, has been used in Northbridge to monitor high-risk individuals. It is also used in public transport to control fare evasion and assaults.
• Incorporating environment design in new developments – Housing projects in Balga and Armadale incorporate new urban layouts with clear sightlines and fewer hidden spaces to deter criminal activities.

Technological Solutions for Crime Prevention

Modern technology is now being used to control the crime rate. 

• AI and predictive policing – studies show that burglary and vehicle crime exhibit consistent patterns, which can be utilised in crime detection. WA Police uses predictive analytics to identify crime patterns and deploy officers proactively.
• Phone apps – community safety apps such as Eyes on the Street by Crime Stoppers can be used to report suspicious activity in real-time, improving response rates.
• Cybercrime Mitigation – police departments nowadays have a dedicated cybercrime unit to address digital fraud. 

Is Perth Safe for Living in 2025?

Perth remains one of the most livable cities in Australia and the world. Although crime is slowly increasing, Perth’s crime rate is still well below that of other major Australian cities according to the Australia Bureau of Statistics. Daytime safety is pretty strong in most areas, but nighttime caution is required in entertainment places such as Northbridge.

How Does Rapid Alarms Help Keep Perth Safe with CCTV and Alarm Systems?

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