WA Police crime data reveals domestic violence and sex offences rising in Mid West-Gascoyne

Family and domestic violence offences reported to Mid West-Gascoyne police have soared to the highest rate on record and rose 36 per cent in the past year alone, according to the latest police data. Since records were kept in 2007, domestic violence cases reported to local police have surged by 434 per cent, from 406 incidents in 2007 to a peak of 2169 in 2023 in the Mid West-Gascoyne district. Last year’s total is a 36 per cent rise on the 1595 cases reported to local police in 2022. Reported sex crimes have also been rising, with 99 offences in 2013 compared to 213 in 2023. There has been a jump of 21 per cent in the past year with 213 cases in 2023, up from 176 in 2022. Historic sex offences have climbed 130 per cent in one year, with 33 matters reported in 2022 and 76 in 2023. A WA Police spokesperson said there was a various influences impacting crime statistics such as population size, new shopping centres and entertainment precincts, seasonal trends and the extent to which crime was reported to or detected by police. “A rise in family and domestic violence matters can be indicative of the willingness of victims to report to police. Every police district in WA has a FDV response team who contribute to providing support to family violence victims, and who ensure perpetrators are held to account,” the spokesperson said. “All frontline officers are trained and continue to be committed to attend FDV incidents.” Shoplifting offences in the Mid West-Gascoyne jumped by 75 per cent, going from 499 cases in 2022 to 873 last year, while burglary is up 27 per cent (1446 in 2023 to 1059 in 2022). The police spokesperson attributed the rise in shoplifting offences to the cost-of-living crisis and the rapport built between retailers and local police. “The increase in volume crime reports can be attributed to a number of reasons, one of which may be the increased cost of living being experienced across the community,” they said. “Officers in the Mid-West Gascoyne have strong relationships with business owners and retailers which has resulted in increased reporting and was expected to translate into greater numbers of reported shoplifting offences.” While most crime is on the rise, theft of vehicles is down 14 per cent from last year, with 233 cars stolen in 2023 compared to 270 in 2022. Property damage and arson offences remain stagnant comparing 2023 to the year before. In the Mid West-Gascoyne, the total offences against a person was up 39.6 per cent last year compared to 2022, while total offences against property is up 3 per cent. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) MID WEST-GASCOYNE CRIME DATA Change from 2022-2023 calendar years Historic sex offences +130 per cent Shoplifting +75 per cent Serious assault (non-family) +50 per cent Family assault +36 per cent Burglary +27 per cent Common assault (non-family) +21 per cent Sex offences +21 per cent Stealing total +11 per cent Assaults on public officers +7 per cent Property damage +1 per cent Robbery — Arson -9 per cent Steal motor vehicle -14 per cent Source: WA Police