Viral police chase video sparks pressure over WA youth crime response

Footage of a teenage boy driving a stolen car in a police pursuit through Kununurra has captivated millions globally, reigniting discussions about youth crime in Western Australia's remote east Kimberley region. The town, located 3,200 kilometers north of Perth, has grappled with persistent youth offending, including frequent car thefts and police chases.

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It's reactive, it's not proactive.

The incident prompted an influx of police officers to Kununurra as part of WA Police's Operation Regional Shield. This operation involves rotating teams from Perth into regional areas experiencing crime waves. However, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley president David Menzel described the deployment as "reactive" and not the "proactive" solution the community desires.

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We're grateful the support is there and the police come, but the community wants proactive stuff.

"We're grateful the support is there and the police come, but the community wants proactive stuff," Menzel stated. He emphasized that the situation has not improved since youth crime in Kununurra gained significant media attention in October 2025. Menzel called for a youth-focused "night space" and comprehensive support services for at-risk youth and their families, noting that the "same behaviors returning from the same group of people" persist.

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We're not progressing. It's the same behaviours returning from the same group of people.

Corrective Services Minister Tony Buti acknowledged the need for a Kununurra Night Space, a government initiative intended to improve the situation. However, the facility, budgeted at $5.9 million, has faced delays. Community opposition to its proposed location on an abandoned sandalwood plantation, following an earlier rejection by local businesses in a light industrial area, has stalled its operation. "Ongoing discussions" with stakeholders are reportedly underway.

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Ongoing discussions