When Dirk Zarb Cousin sees teenagers skipping school and graffiti tags on buildings in Perth's north-western suburbs, he is disappointed 'nothing' has changed to engage young people since he was a bored teenager committing crimes in the area.
In his teenage years, Mr Zarb Cousin turned to crime and drugs — a lifestyle that eventually landed him in juvenile detention.
"I did get in a lot of trouble back then," he admitted.
"So basically, being involved in burglaries and things like that and just getting caught a few too many times."
He has since got his life on track, but the 36-year-old driving instructor said he was worried for the next generation.
Over the past five years, WA Police recorded 2,499 individual young offenders in the vast Joondalup police district, the highest number across all metropolitan patrol areas.
The district encompasses the northern suburbs of Clarkson, Butler, Wanneroo, Warwick, and Hillarys.
Mr Zarb Cousin said he would like to see more done to engage young people.
"I think it hasn't changed much at all. There are still groups of youth around getting up to no good because there is really nothing for them to do around here," he said.
"They're meant to be in school, but you can see them hanging out at the local parks, smoking and vandalising certain areas.
"I feel quite disappointed to see that it's still going on in this area."
Crime taking its toll on businesses
The impact of youth crime has been felt by local businesses.
Basil Borgomastro's store was one of several businesses targeted during a crime spree in May.
WA Police later charged an 11-year-old and two 15-year-olds with burglary and stealing offences.
Mr Borgomastro said it was devastating for the local community.
"They were devastated. They don't think it happens in your area, but it does."
It was the second time Mr Borgomastro's store had been broken into within six months and both times he said he was left with several thousands of dollars worth of damage.
"Smashed glass, smashed doors, [the offenders] were wearing balaclavas and gloves and going through the till," he said.
He backed calls for more youth services in the region.
High youth crime, lack of diversionary services
Despite the growing population and a high number of troublemakers, a recent report adopted by the City of Wanneroo highlighted the lack of youth diversionary services in the area.
Western Australia's Police and Community Youth Centres (PCYC) has laid out a plan for a $17 million youth centre in the district, which chief executive David van Ooran said was needed to help lead young people to a better future.
"There is a strong call for a PCYC facility in the north-west metro area, to deliver that range of services — the recreational, the arts and cultural, and the alternative education programs," he said
"If you listen to the stakeholders in the north-west metro, the need is urgent and they would like to see progress on plans for a major facility in the coming year or two."
He said while there were many factors at play, a lot of crime stemmed from young people having nothing to do.
"We know family and domestic violence, alcohol and other drugs, learning difficulties, bullying, fetal alcohol syndrome [are impacting] the behaviour of young people and also offending rates as well," he said.
"[But] when you boil it all down … [a major cause] is boredom and a lack of activity … that can often lead to groups gathering and poor decision making."
Youth crime not 'out of control'
Joondalup police district Superintendent Tony Flack backed calls for a PCYC but dismissed any suggestion youth crime was particularly bad in the area.
He said crime in the north-west metro was "no better or no worse" than in other parts of Perth.
"It would be unfair to say that the numbers alone represent somehow that youth crime is out of control," he said.
"We've seen offence reductions in all areas [of crime] except family violence."
However, he said a youth diversionary service was needed.
"What we are supportive of is that when we do come into contact with a juvenile that we have some effective youth services that we can refer them to," Superintendent Flack said.
"I'm not talking about looking after kids with a basketball game at a particular moment in time. I'm actually looking at services that can address their mental health, can address the causes or lifestyle causes.
"The other diversion I would love to see would be how we can divert those kids who are not functioning well in mainstream education into skills-based training."
