❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Police Minister on fluctuating crime statistics, particularly graffiti and sexual assault offences, questioning the effectiveness of anti-graffiti legislation and demanding data to support claims of increased reporting versus actual crime increases.
AnsweredQoN 480Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In Tuesday’s media statement on crime statistics by the Minister for Police, the minister explained that the 16.1 per cent increase in graffiti offences and 21.8 per cent increase in sexual assault offences was because “proactive policing encouraging reporting of certain offence types, such as assault, graffiti and drug offences, was increasing the number of offences reported.” (1) Will the minister explain the reasons for decreases in crime in 1999-2000, when graffiti offences decreased by 15.6 per cent and sexual assaults decreased by 22.5 per cent, and why any such reasons have not been effective in 2000-01? (2) Will the minister now confirm that the Government's draconian anti-graffiti legislation has had little or no effect on the rate of graffiti offences being committed? (3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(1) Will the minister explain the reasons for decreases in crime in 1999-2000, when graffiti offences decreased by 15.6 per cent and sexual assaults decreased by 22.5 per cent, and why any such reasons have not been effective in 2000-01? (2) Will the minister now confirm that the Government's draconian anti-graffiti legislation has had little or no effect on the rate of graffiti offences being committed? (3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(2) Will the minister now confirm that the Government's draconian anti-graffiti legislation has had little or no effect on the rate of graffiti offences being committed? (3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased.
(1) Will the minister explain the reasons for decreases in crime in 1999-2000, when graffiti offences decreased by 15.6 per cent and sexual assaults decreased by 22.5 per cent, and why any such reasons have not been effective in 2000-01? (2) Will the minister now confirm that the Government's draconian anti-graffiti legislation has had little or no effect on the rate of graffiti offences being committed? (3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(2) Will the minister now confirm that the Government's draconian anti-graffiti legislation has had little or no effect on the rate of graffiti offences being committed? (3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(3) Will the minister table information detailing the results of research that shows that the increase in graffiti and sexual assault reports is not due to an overall increase in these offences being committed? (4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(4) If not, why not? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(1) The change in crime figures for graffiti offences in 2000-01 is a result of a campaign encouraging the public and local government agencies to report all graffiti damage, to enable police to investigate and clear both current and historical offences. The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
The change in crime figures for sexual assaults in 2000-01 is a result of offences which took place in an earlier statistical period being reported and investigated in the current year, which produced an artificial rise in the number of offences for the period. (2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(2) No. The Police Amendment Bill 1998 that enacted the new graffiti provisions is still being evaluated, and it is my understanding that it is making an impact. (3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
(3) The 21.8 per cent - 123 offences - increase in sexual assault offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was primarily due to an abnormally high number of offences in the Peel district of the southern police region. A total of 162 offences were reported in the September 2000 quarter, compared with 15 in the same quarter of 1999. This aberration was primarily due to one offender being charged in relation to 98 offences. These offences involved four complainants of one family, and took place during the 1998-99 financial year. Most of the other sexual assault offences reported were also committed during an earlier period. The 16.1 per cent - 461 offences - increase in graffiti offences in the September 2000 quarter compared with the same quarter in 1999 was due to increases in offences in the Cannington and Mirrabooka police districts. One of the reasons for the increases is that local governments reported large numbers of offences that were committed in previous periods. In the Cannington district the bulk of the increase was due to this reason. Measures have been implemented to resolve the issue. Other reasons are that members of the public have reported historical offences as a result of encouragement by media campaigns; when one offender is charged, that often results in a number of offences committed in earlier periods being reported; and incidents of graffiti that may have been committed in police districts along bus routes have been reported at two bus depots in the Mirrabooka district. The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased. (4) Not applicable.
The Police Service believes that there is no trend towards an increase in the incidence of graffiti offences being committed. Reported crime statistics released by the Police Service are accompanied by a caveat which states that the number of offences reported during a period may include offences committed during an earlier period. Therefore, when historical offences, particularly sexual assaults, are reported, that will increase the number of offences reported in a period. An increase in the number of such offences reported during a period does not necessarily mean that the number of actual offences committed during the same period has increased.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.