Crunching the numbers: the 10 Geraldton suburbs with the most prolific crime rates

Crime rates in Geraldton’s CBD were up nearly 40 per cent in 2021 as criminal activity across the local government area jumped back to pre-pandemic levels. COVID-19 lockdowns at the start of 2020 saw crime in most suburbs drop to historic lows, but statistics released by WA Police show things have largely returned to ‘normal’. The suburb of Geraldton remained the city’s crime centre, with more than 2000 offences recorded by police in 2021 – the highest number for at least eight years. Geraldton police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said it was disappointing to see higher crime rates return. “I would say the response is just as well measured because we have had a lot of extra resources in Geraldton over the last 12 months,” he said. “Crime is rising, but back to levels of normality, not necessarily rising above normal levels. “We’ve seen that generally across the State.” Crime rates in the city centre are up 16.4 per cent since 2019. In 2021, police recorded more than 480 cases of stealing, 330 instances of property damage and 172 drug offences. Sen. Sgt Martin said most stealing offences could be attributed to young kids shoplifting from retail clothing stores. “We have given so much crime prevention advice to these retailers, but for one reason or another they choose not to follow it. It’s about self-crime prevention,” he said. “A lot of these retailers won’t report things unless it has happened two or three times. “If kids aren’t supervised they usually get into trouble.” Sen. Sgt Martin said juvenile crime was rising across Geraldton, but he was pleased police had been able to stamp down on rock throwing. “We did a lot of work with a particular family involved in that and managed to quell all of that rock throwing over the highway and bridges,” he said. The number of assaults in the CBD was also higher in 2021, but the number of sexual offences dropped. Sen. Sgt Martin said the closure of Vibe nightclub had helped curb alcohol-fuelled violence. “The closure of the nightclub has led to a reduction in anti-social behaviour,” he said. “People have one too many drinks and their emotions boil over. Before you know it, there’s a fight outside the club. “Not that the Vibe had a lot of that, but it has reduced.” Rangeway and Spalding were hives of criminal activity outside the city centre, with 833 and 659 offences recorded across 2021 respectively. Family domestic violence was rife in Rangeway, with nearly 180 incidents reported by police. Wonthella and Utakarra rounded out the top five worst suburbs for crime in Geraldton, while Mullewa jumped into the top 10 after a spike in offences. Crime in Mullewa was up 46 per cent in 2021, with property damage, home burglaries and family assaults the most common offences. Top 10 worst suburbs for crime in 2021 Geraldton: 2035 Rangeway: 833 Spalding: 659 Wonthella: 453 Utakarra: 372 Mount Tarcoola: 276 Karloo: 252 Mullewa: 234 Beresford: 226 Wandina: 219 Top 10 worst suburbs for crime in 2020 Geraldton: 1457 Rangeway: 687 Spalding: 593 Wonthella: 422 Utakarra: 310 Karloo: 221 Bluff Point: 204 Beresford: 201 Walkaway: 183 Waggrakine: 183