Kimberley region faces high crime rates in Western Australia

New statistics from Western Australia Police reveal significant crime disparities between metropolitan areas and regional regions. In the Kimberley region, data indicates that one in three people are victims of crime, with residents being nearly ten times more likely to experience assault, sexual attack, or threats compared to those in metropolitan Perth.

Personal violent crimes, including assaults, kidnappings, and sexual offenses, have risen significantly in the northern region over the last financial year. This follows a crisis declaration in January 2022, which prompted the state government to deploy police reinforcements and allocate funding to address juvenile crime.

Recent initiatives include the opening of the Wala Kooral-bi Centre near Derby, a therapeutic residential diversion program for Indigenous boys aged 14 to 17. Additionally, funding has been directed toward the Preventing FASD Project to support public education and prevention.