10 Most Dangerous Cities In Australia

Australia is ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, but that is a cumulative safety index. If you dig in further and look for the stats of each city, you will find out that some of the cities are really dangerous.

In this article, we will comprehensively discuss the statistics of the 10 most dangerous cities in Australia. We will also discuss the reasons for the severity of crime rates and the contribution of the government in tackling these.

Top 10 most dangerous cities in Australia

Rockhampton

Rockhampton is the most dangerous city in Australia. According to the reports, it has a crime index of 67.2, which is one of the major contributors to the country’s higher rate. It has a crime rate of 132 per 1000 people, with most of the cases for theft, burglary, and assault.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs comes in 2nd place with a crime index of 66.6, with high property and violent crime rates. The residents frequently noted the increase in break-ins and property damage. In 2023, the local police imposed a curfew and banned alcohol in the city.

Darwin

Darwin is the 3rd most dangerous city in Australia, with a crime index of 63.16. There was almost a 17% increment in assault crimes. However, theft, break-ins, alcohol-related issues, and street fights are also at an extreme level.

Cairns

Cairns has had an increasing crime rate over the past 5 years. Currently, it has a safety index of 61.91 with a high rate of property damage, theft, mugging, and robbery cases. It has reported a crime rate of over 156.6 per 1000 people, in which drug-related cases for teenagers are major contributors.

Townsville

Townsville is one of the most dangerous cities in Australia, with areas mostly affected by youth crimes. It has a crime index of 61.6 with a high crime rate at night. The locals have reported high house break-ins and vehicle theft by youths. The police keep arresting the same youths for frequent crimes, but the government is also focusing on diversion programs.

Geelong

Geelong has high drug offenses with concerns of gang behavior among youths. According to the sources, the estimated crime index is about 60.87. Domestic violence, theft, and assault cases are higher in the city.

Newcastle

Newcastle stays in the middle in terms of crime rate because it is safer than other cities. However, its suburbs like Windale and Mayfield have higher crime rates. It has a crime index of 48.1 with frequent alcohol-related issues. The public has reported that property and violent crimes are increasing year by year.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast holds a crime index rating of 47.3 according to Numbeo. The cases in 2024 increased for the youth drug intake and theft issues. It has a crime rate of 76.8 per 1000 people, with higher home break-ins than the national average.

Melbourne

Melbourne is generally considered safer, but it has some dangerous suburbs, which make it moderately dangerous. It has a crime index rating of 43.8, which is comparatively lower. The city has higher gang violence in suburbs like Dandenong, with common issues of theft from the shops.

Perth

Perth has a moderate crime rate compared to other cities. Mostly, the cases are for pick-pocketing and theft that are reported. Some cases of assault and domestic violence are also reported. The crime rate is 41.8, which is considered to be moderate for a big city.

Crime Rates In Australia

Violent Crime Rate

Violent crime refers to the physical harm or threat inflicted by an individual. The types that are generally included in violent crime are Assault (common, aggravated, and sexual), Murder, Domestic violence, and robbery. It can be measured by the number of incidents per 100k or 1000 people for better estimation.

Property Crime Rate

The property crime rate is considered when a criminal damages property. The types include house break-ins or burglary, vandalism, vehicle theft, and shoplifting. This type of crime doesn’t include physical harm and is usually performed where police patrolling is low.

Homicide Rate

Homicide refers to the intentional killing or murder of someone. The types include murder, manslaughter, and attempted murder. A homicide is also considered a violent act.

Fraud & Cyber Crime Rate

Fraud & Cybercrime are increasing in this digital era. It mainly involves financial fraud. The main types are identity theft, credit card scams, and online scams, which include phishing, services, and insurance fraud.

What Makes These Cities In Australia Dangerous?

The cities are dangerous in Australia due to unemployment in outer suburbs and towns. With increasing unemployment, the youth crime rate is getting higher. Youth gangs are reported for major crimes such as car theft, property crimes, and break-ins.

Drug dealing is also one of the major concerns. The involvement of youth in drugs is another reason for the high crime rate. Moreover, the poor nightlife and police patrolling raise these issues year by year.

How Australian Government Tackles Crime In Dangerous Cities

The government is taking steps to reduce crime in cities. They are producing employment options and promoting the youth towards mentoring and intervention programs. Moreover, they are increasing CCTV cameras and police patrolling in hotspot cities such as Rockhampton and Alice Springs.

The government is also imposing curfews and bans on alcohol and drugs in cities like Darwin and Alice Springs. Real-time crime mapping is deployed, and they are also ensuring better street lighting.

Safety Tips To Stay In Australia

It is recommended to stay away from areas with frequent gang activity. Plan routes accordingly and walk in well-lit areas. Keep your phone always charged and remember the emergency numbers to contact the local police quickly. You must keep your family members or friends informed of where you are going.

For enhanced safety, you can install wireless security cameras like Reolink Atlas PT Ultra to stay safe from dangerous crimes. It offers 360° coverage, auto-tracking, color night vision, real-time alerts, and other advanced features of optimal security.

Along with the security camera, you can use smart door locks and window sensors. Make sure to keep your valuable items hidden in your house. If there is a strange person on the door, verify the identity. Most importantly, build a healthy relationship with your neighbors to deal with such issues.

FAQs

1. Which city in Australia has the highest crime rate?

Rockhampton has the highest crime rate in Australia, with 132 per 1000 people. Some of the sources have also pointed to Alice Springs as the city with the highest crime rate.

2. What is the safest city in Australia?

Canberra is the safest city in Australia and ranked 49th on the global list. It has a safety index of 73.6, which is quite high and above the national average.

Conclusion

While visiting or relocating to Australian cities, you must check out the crime rate and safety index to make a good choice. Some cities are quite dangerous. We have provided a detailed analysis of several dangerous cities in Australia with recent statistics. Moreover, you also need to take safety measures seriously to ensure your safety. Consider the safety tips we have shared no matter which city you are in.