WA's burglary hotspots
WA still has the worst burglary rate of all Australian states despite claims from WA Police that it had dropped, the RAC says.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics pinpoint WA as the burglary capital of Australia, while a report from the RAC into WA’s burglary hotspots revealed that, of the 30 suburbs with the highest burglary rate, 22 were from the south east and south metropolitan areas.*
These statistics were supported by police data which, between January 2006 and December 2007, reported 52 per cent of all burglaries as taking place south of the river.
The RAC’s Executive Manager of Member Advocacy David Moir said more funding was needed for burglar reduction strategies.
“For the past few years, we have been calling for the State Government’s burglary reduction programme to be expanded into the south metropolitan area, as well as Bunbury, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie,” Mr Moir said.
The RAC list of burglary hotspots is based on the number of RAC Insurance policies held in each suburb against the numbers of claims for burglary.
Hilton topped the list, with the suburb of Seville Grove also recording a rate of more than one burglary in every 20 homes – a rate Mr Moir said was unacceptable.
“I don’t think a rate of one house burgled in every 20 is acceptable and steps need to be taken to curb this rate,” he said.
Mr Moir said the RAC welcomed moves by the East Metropolitan Police to introduce a trial to cut burglary in the Stratton area, identified as one of WA’s burglary hotspots in the recent report.
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| RAC Insurance Top Ten Suburbs |
| Hilton |
5.9% |
| Seville Grove |
5.0% |
| Koondoola |
4.9% |
| Brookdale |
4.9% |
| Stratton |
4.7% |
| Bentley |
4.4% |
| Balga |
4.4% |
| Kenwick |
4.3% |
| South Lake |
4.1% |
| Caversham |
4.1% |
*Figures for RAC burglary rates are based on policies in force between 1/1/06 and 31/12/07. The data only includes suburbs that have over 500 policies in force during that time.
