- Community safety a priority for the McGowan Government
- Offences against the person and property continuing to trend downwards
Crime has fallen for a fifth consecutive quarter since the election of the McGowan Government.
New figures released by the WA Police Force show that, compared to the same quarter last year, the rate of burglaries has fallen by 7.5 per cent and robberies are down 9.8 per cent.
In regional WA, crimes against the person or property fell by 10.5 per cent, with burglary down 20.3 per cent and motor vehicle theft decreasing by 26.9 per cent.
The fall in crime comes following significant investment in the WA Police Force by the McGowan Government.
In tough financial times, the Government has funded more police, with an additional 100 police officers for the Meth Taskforce and a further 25 officers for the Regional Enforcement Unit.
Changes to the operational structure of the WA Police Force implemented by Commissioner Chris Dawson have also led to positive changes in the way policing services are delivered to the community.
Under the Liberal National Government, crime rates soared to unprecedented levels.
Before the Liberals and Nationals lost Government, they cut the police budget by $190 million.
The McGowan Government has increased the police budget by $495 million over four years, compared to the last four years of the previous Government.
Importantly, the data also reveals that family violence continues to be a challenge.
Amendments to the Restraining Orders Act implemented by the Government last year has strengthened responses to family violence incidents by police.
The WA Police Force has also improved its response through the establishment of the Family Violence Special Case Team.
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
“These latest figures are promising and show a continuing downward trend in areas of crime.
“Our significant investment in the WA Police Force has boosted police efforts to tackle the meth scourge and seize a record 1.56 tonnes of meth in the past 12 months.
“Along with Commissioner Dawson’s changes to the Force, this is having positive results in driving down crime rates.
“Whilst there’s often fluctuations in individual crime rates, this latest data shows a very positive trend.
“This isn’t cause for complacency though, it only strengthens our resolve to support our police and drive crime rates down further.”
