UPDATE: Kununurra is grappling with an alarming rise in youth crime, leaving residents feeling as if their town has become an “absolute war zone.” The Kimberley town has witnessed a distressing wave of criminal activity, with reports indicating that children as young as 10 years old are behind a series of brazen carjackings and police chases.
Just this week, a group of eight youths allegedly stole a car and led police on a wild chase through the rural area, demonstrating a shocking disregard for the impact on victims. Among those affected is local resident Mike, who had his Toyota LandCruiser stolen on Tuesday night. “Waking up to what looks like an absolute war zone is pretty shocking,” he told 7News. “We were broken into, all the keys for the cars and trucks were stolen. All the vehicles in the neighborhood were spray-painted and windows smashed.”
Footage captured from the street shows Mike’s vehicle speeding away while being pursued by police under lights and siren, highlighting the escalating chaos. The aftermath has left Mike facing a hefty repair bill of approximately $6,500 as a result of the vandalism and theft.
Alarming statistics reported by The West Australian reveal that a motor vehicle has been stolen every day this month in Kununurra, with each alleged offender caught being a juvenile. Despite these troubling figures, Attorney General Tony Buti claimed that youth crime is on the decline, stating, “Over the last couple of years, the juvenile crime rate has actually decreased, including stolen cars.” However, local residents like Mike strongly disagree, asserting that crime rates have surged in recent weeks. “In the last five weeks, it’s absolutely kicked up 10 gears again,” he said. “It’s gone back to what it was like four years ago, when things were really bad.”
As Kununurra’s local police struggle to manage the escalating crime wave, there are discussions about sending officers from Perth to assist the overwhelmed local force. The situation remains dire, and Kununurra residents are calling for urgent action to restore safety to their community.
With the youth crime epidemic continuing to unfold, locals are left wondering how much longer they will endure this troubling trend. Authorities and community leaders face mounting pressure to address this urgent issue and implement effective solutions before the situation deteriorates further.
