Most Dangerous Suburbs In Perth 2025

Perth is celebrated for its sunny climate, open spaces, cultural vibrancy, and many welcoming neighborhoods. Yet the sheer variety of suburbs in Perth means that residents, newcomers, and students must navigate a complex landscape when it comes to safety and security. Some suburbs in Perth enjoy reputations for being tight-knit and peaceful, while others remain marked by recurring challenges involving theft, assault, and property-related offenses. With fluctuating crime hotspots, Perth police monitor year after year, understanding patterns tied to dangerous suburbs Perth observers flag is more vital than ever before. Recent reports and Perth crime statistics by suburb offer valuable insights to anyone choosing where to live, work, or visit within this growing city.​

How Safe Are Suburbs in Perth?

Suburbs in Perth collectively maintain a standard of living and safety that compares favorably to many global urban environments. Yet the city’s overall crime rate is shaped by significant variation between districts. For example, Perth crime statistics by suburb show some areas reporting fewer than 25 incidents per 1,000 residents, while others regularly deal with more than 2,000 incidents per 1,000 people each year.​

Violent crimes—including assault and robbery—account for a minority of all offenses throughout Perth. However, these events concentrate in the most dangerous suburbs in Perth, often during late hours, weekends, or in areas with busy entertainment venues.​

Property crimes drive two-thirds of reported offenses in many suburbs in Perth. This includes thefts against houses, parked vehicles, and commercial businesses, commonly flagged in unsafe areas Perth police highlight every quarter. Motor vehicle theft alone accounts for thousands of police reports annually, reflecting trends similar to other high crime rate suburbs Perth experiences in Australia.​

Perth Crime Statistics by Suburb

When it comes to Perth crime statistics by suburb, the differences are stark. In recent years, suburbs in Perth, such as Northbridge and Perth CBD, have recorded total crime figures substantially above city averages. Here are up-to-date figures that help paint the picture:​

• Northbridge reports  in one year despite a population of only 1,420. At 2,072 crimes per 1,000 people, Northbridge is consistently listed at the top among dangerous suburbs Perth authorities' survey.​
• Perth CBD, with 13,670 residents, witnessed 11,014 offenses and a crime rate of 806 per 1,000, highlighting its position among the most dangerous suburbs in Perth.​
• Armadale, with 13,415 people and 4,333 offenses, results in a crime rate of 323 per 1,000, positioning it in any discussion of high crime rate suburbs Perth shares with families and newcomers.​
• Midland, with a rate of 543 offenses per 1,000, remains another focal point among crime hotspots Perth police regularly target for intervention.​
• Cannington follows closely with 519 crimes per 1,000 and sustained police visibility.
• Gosnells, with 3,593 crimes, is continually cited among unsafe areas Perth families and business owners track.
• Belmont, Clarkson, Balga, and Thornlie all present rates above the metropolitan average, sparking community safety campaigns and increased law enforcement efforts over recent years.​

At the opposite end, the safest suburbs in Perth report only 17–25 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, and they are celebrated as benchmarks for community resilience and public engagement.​

Factors Driving Crime in Suburbs in Perth

Economic conditions play a central role in shaping risks within suburbs in Perth. A rise in unemployment, cost-of-living pressures, and pockets of social disadvantage coincide with reports from Perth crime statistics by suburb showing elevated incidents in specific zones. Nightlife and entertainment hubs in the city center or popular districts draw transient crowds, which can increase opportunities for theft, assault, and property damage. Police have consistently observed spikes in alcohol-fueled violence around late-night venues, placing these localities among the most dangerous suburbs in Perth according to annual reviews.​

Many unsafe areas Perth flags for concern are characterized by older layouts, limited street lighting, and sparse CCTV coverage, which diminish public awareness and crime deterrence. High rental turnover in certain suburbs in Perth correlates with higher property crime rates, as more transient populations create gaps in community engagement.​

Other contributing factors cited by Western Australia Police include:

• Limited access to public housing and increased cost of living.​
• Rapid suburban expansion near major highways or transport corridors.
• The presence of shopping centers and entertainment precincts attracts criminal activity.​

Detailed Profiles: The Most Dangerous Suburbs in Perth

Understanding the risks associated with dangerous suburbs Perth residents and authorities discuss begins by examining actual incident rates and local circumstances.​

Northbridge

Northbridge sits just north of the CBD and epitomizes the nightlife-driven identity of some suburbs in Perth. Despite its cultural institutions and thriving restaurant scene, Northbridge regularly reports the city’s highest crime totals. The vast majority of incidents occur near bars, clubs, and streets teeming with both locals and visitors, especially during weekends. Violent crime, theft, and anti-social behavior underscore its reputation among unsafe areas Perth police patrol most intensively.​

Perth CBD

Perth’s central business district is considered the beating heart of urban life, but is equally known for high rates of theft, public disorder, and sometimes more serious violence. As a focal point among crime hotspots Perth tracks, its density, tourist appeal, and late-night venues account for the elevated risks families and new arrivals should understand before settling downtown.​

Armadale

Located south of the city center, Armadale consistently ranks among the most dangerous suburbs in Perth for property crime, assault, and youth-related disturbances. The area’s economic disadvantage and shifting population dynamics prompt ongoing intervention and council-led campaigns to support safer public spaces.​

Midland

Midland’s combination of commercial zones, older housing stock, and ongoing demographic changes has resulted in above-average incidents of theft and public disorder. Police focus their resources on hotspot streets and shopping areas to help mitigate risks in this historically active suburb in Perth.​

Balga

Balga is a predominantly residential suburb known for cultural diversity and community programs, yet it faces stubbornly high rates of property crime, assault, and domestic disturbances. Local authorities have expanded neighborhood watch programs and increased CCTV coverage, eager to reverse their reputation as one of the worst suburbs in Perth for crime.​

Belmont

Its proximity to major highways and the airport makes Belmont a magnet for vehicle crime, burglaries, and vandalism. Assault rates and anti-social incidents fluctuate, prompting stepped-up police presence and security investment by businesses and residents across this busy suburb in Perth.​

Clarkson

Located in Perth’s northern corridor, Clarkson struggles with break-ins, vandalism, and social behavior issues rooted in rapid population growth. Patrols and safety programs attempt to address recurring patterns in this high crime rate suburb in Perth.​

Thornlie

Thornlie offers family-friendly amenities but also ranks among Perth suburbs to avoid after dark due to recurring vehicle theft, burglaries, and sporadic violent episodes. Community watch initiatives and targeted campaigns mark attempts to reduce risk and improve safety perceptions in this suburb in Perth.​

Community Responses and Safety Strategies

As crime hotspots, Perth authorities report that local councils are rolling out new improvement strategies to safeguard residents across all suburbs in Perth. Programs range from youth rehabilitation and educational outreach to increased police patrols in the worst suburbs in Perth for crime. Upgrades to surveillance infrastructure, including wider CCTV networks in public areas and better lighting of laneways, are raising visibility in previously troublesome districts.​

Community engagement—public safety seminars, neighborhood watch, and social media alert groups—helps thousands of suburbs in Perth foster better vigilance and rapid response to suspicious activities. Residents are encouraged to remain aware ofaround ATMs, transport stations, and late-night venues. Regular home security upgrades and prompt reporting of even minor offenses prove effective in slowing repeat incidents in unsafe areas Perth families and young professionals inhabit.​

Long-Term Trends and Urban Changes in Suburbs in Perth

Demographic changes among suburbs in Perth are reshaping patterns of vulnerability. Gentrification, new housing projects, and revitalization plans are helping transform previously high crime rate suburbs Perth authorities flagged in earlier years. The suburb of Gosnells, for example, demonstrates the positive impact of targeted community engagement and commercial investment, as anti-social behaviour rates have edged downward over the past two years.​

Renewal efforts in Armadale, Balga, and Midland are working to introduce more opportunities, better youth facilities, and safer streetscapes. These improvements reflect a broader metropolitan effort to lift the status of once dangerous suburbs Perth tracked closely, gradually making them more attractive to families and investors. However, sustained vigilance remains essential, especially as new entertainment venues, transport lines, or housing developments can suddenly alter local crime rates in suburbs in Perth.​

The Safest Suburbs in Perth

On the other end of the spectrum, suburbs in Perth, such as Watermans Bay, Whitby, Walliston, Viveash, Daglish, Pearsall, Rossmoyne, Burns Beach, and Winthrop, stand out for exceptionally low incident figures. Crime rates in these areas often fall below 25 offenses per 1,000 residents, setting a benchmark for desirable, secure living.​

What defines the safest vs most dangerous Perth suburbs? It often comes down to economic stability, high owner-occupancy, modern infrastructure, active neighborhood associations, and consistent investment in public amenities. Such suburbs also benefit from better lighting, frequent patrols, public CCTV, and rich community life—all factors which help reduce opportunistic crime and improve long-term safety metrics.​

Practical Safety Advice for All Suburbs in Perth

Residents and visitors in all suburbs can take practical steps to minimize risk. Regularly reviewing crime hotspots Perth updates helps everyone stay informed. Key safety recommendations include:

• Enhance property protection in suburbs with robust locks, alarms, outdoor lighting, and visible signage warning of surveillance.​
• Avoid walking alone at night through unlit or isolated streets in high crime rate suburbs Perth police mark on quarterly reports.
• Engage in or start local neighborhood watch groups within suburbs in Perth to share real-time insights and foster rapid reporting of suspicious activity.
• Stay alert when using public transport, ATMs, or busy entertainment zones.
• When choosing somewhere new to live, consult Perth crime statistics by suburb for up-to-date insights on risk.​
• Promptly report all suspicious activity; early intervention disrupts criminal patterns within unsafe areas Perth law enforcement monitors closely.

Suburbs in Perth reflect the diverse, evolving character of the whole city. Whether looking for the safest suburbs in Perth or understanding the realities that shape the most dangerous suburbs in Perth, up-to-date local knowledge ensures enjoyable and secure living experiences. The city’s long-term safety successes depend on continued vigilance, community education, and sustained investment to meet the needs of all suburbs in Perth.