RAC reveals worst metropolitan suburbs for property crime

21 December 2009

In the lead-up to Christmas, the RAC is urging Western Australians to be extra vigilant against crime with new RAC Insurance figures revealing the worst suburbs for home burglary and motor theft insurance claims.

The analysis of insurance claims over a two year period identified the metropolitan area’s southern and eastern suburbs as the hot spots for property crime with the 10 worst suburbs coming from these areas.

According to the data, the worst metropolitan suburb was Swan View, followed by Seville Grove and Redcliffe.

RAC Insurance Manager Technical Claims Glen Walker said while these figures represented crime over a number of years, traditionally home and motor theft increased over summer with the Christmas and New Year period being particularly bad.

“At this time of year, thieves typically try to exploit Christmas presents left under the tree or families that have left their homes unoccupied while on holiday,” Mr Walker said.

“People tend to become more complacent when the weather warms up but this is the time when thieves are more active and extra caution needs to be taken.

“We’re asking everyone to remember to lock the doors and windows of their house – even when they’re at home where practical – and not leave valuables in their car or car keys in an obvious location. An alarm system is also a proven deterrent for home burglary.”

Mr Walker said the insurance data highlighting the worst suburbs sent a clear message that more needed to be done to reduce crime in specific areas.

“These figures combine home and motor claims which mean places like Swan View, Seville Grove and our southern suburbs are being hit hard by two, generally expensive, crimes,” Mr Walker said.

“The State Government needs to step in, take a close look at what is happening in these suburbs and come up with a strategy that is going to produce real results. The ‘Burglar Beware’ strategy seems to have lost momentum now.”

The data analysed looked at RAC Insurance home and motor theft claims from July 2007 to June 2009.

The worst suburbs in the south were South Fremantle, Success and Orelia.

“Community members also need to take some responsibility for preventing these crimes and become more security conscious,” Mr Walker said.

“Too often opportunistic burglars gain access to homes through unlocked doors and windows, particularly over the summer months.”

Mr Walker said car owners also needed to adopt a few simple rules to protect their car.

“Some of these precautions include parking in a well-lit area, using secure car parks and having an immobiliser fitted if your car doesn’t already have one.

“Cars left at home need to be kept, where possible, in a garage or carport because cars left on the verge are more likely to be damaged or stolen.”

Perth’s worst performing suburbs:
Suburb
SWAN VIEW
SEVILLE GROVE
REDCLIFFE
SOUTH FREMANTLE
SUCCESS
ORELIA
SPEARWOOD
PARMELIA
QUEENS PARK
ST JAMES

Perth’s best performing suburbs:
Suburb
WANDI
WATERMAN
COOLBINIA
MUNDARING
SERPENTINE
ALFRED COVE
PARKERVILLE
GIDGEGANNUP
WALLISTON
JOLIMONT

Editor’s note: Data from 2007/08 and 2008/09 for suburbs with at least 250 policies in force on average in each of 2007/08 and 2008/09.

Download the release (pdf)