The premium Perth postcode with a higher crime rate than one of the city’s poorest suburbs

New statistics released by WA Police have revealed the golden triangle suburb of Peppermint Grove has a higher overall crime rate than one of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods, Gosnells.

The figures were released by police earlier this month as part of their quarterly update, and a comparison of the financial year’s statistics show some of Perth’s highest-earning suburbs recorded a higher crime rate than the city’s lowest-income regions.

The Perth suburbs of Nedlands, Cottesloe, Dalkeith, Claremont and Peppermint Grove are the city’s top-earning suburbs, while Koondoola, Girrawheen, Cannington, Balga and Gosnells are the lowest.

Comparing the crime rate per 1000 people, the figures show Dalkeith and Claremont recorded a higher rate of domestic violence than Gosnells and Cannington, while burglary tended to be more common in high-income neighbourhoods.

The domestic violence figures encapsulate offences including family assault and threats against a family member.

Koondoola dominated the statistics, recording the highest number of domestic violence, drugs and burglary offences across all 10 suburbs.

However, Edith Cowan University criminology lecturer Dr Piero Moraro said the statistics were symptomatic of broader issue across the state.

“The data reflects a society marred by ever-increasing cost of living, economically divided between rich and poor, and unable to provide sufficient mental health support,” he said.

“In that sense, sadly I am not surprised by these findings.”

Crimes against another person were more likely to occur in low-income suburbs, with Girrawheen and Koondoola again dominating the figures.

Moraro said this was common in low-income areas.

“People from lower-income areas are more likely to suffer from mental health issues, for example due to past trauma,” he said.

“This makes them more likely to use drugs and alcohol as copying mechanisms which, in turn, makes them more likely to engage in aggressive and violent behaviour.”

He said the link between income and crime could be seen clearly in the statistics regarding offences against property.

“Wealthy people are less likely to shoplift, as they have the money to fill their pantry,” he said.

“They may also better manage their mental health, as they may be able to afford private healthcare.

“People from lower demographics don’t have these opportunities and the crimes reported in these statistics are driven by poverty.”

Moraro said offences against property were also more likely to be recorded in suburbs with large shopping complexes.

“Claremont being a typical example,” he said.

“We must also remember, however, that shopping precincts are highly policed, so it is more likely that offences be detected in those areas, compared to others.”

The statistics also showed that despite Gosnells having one of the highest populations on the list of compared suburbs, it had a consistently low crime rate, sitting below Nedlands and Dalkeith.

Cottesloe – home to notable Perthonalities including mining billionaire Andrew Forrest and former WA premier Colin Barnett – showed the lowest crime rate over the last financial year.

Moraro said it was important to understand the broader pattern of crime in Australia.

“Despite these statistics, the broader picture in Australia tells us a different story about crime,” he said.

“The number of offenders proceeded against by police in 2023/24 fell to its lowest level in 16 years, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.”