2119. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to young people held in police lock-ups, and I ask:
(a) since 1 September 2018, how many young people aged under 18 years have been held overnight in regional police lock-ups;
(b) how many of the young people from (a) were held more than one night;
(c) for how many nights were each of the young people in (b) held in police lock-ups; and
(d) what reasons were the young people in (a) held overnight in police lock-ups?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
The Western Australian Police Force advise:
(a) 209 (1 September 2018 – 30 April 2019).
(b) 63.
(c) Please see below:
Days held overnight |
Unique Persons |
2 | 59 |
3 | 7 |
4 | 2 |
Total Unique Persons |
63 |
Note: A range of factors contribute to the custody episode duration including but not limited to the availability of appropriate transport; time spent in a medical facility; and difficulties with contacting and/or arranging a guardian/parent/other appropriate person to collect the detainee.
A count of unique persons means that a person will be counted in each category that applies to them but only counted once in the total. Therefore, the sum of the categories will not equal the total unique persons.
(d) Please see below:
Final Custody Reason |
Unique Persons |
Suspect Charged |
113 |
Remand |
57 |
Form 6 |
55 |
Suspect Uncharged |
30 |
Warrant – Arrest (Bail Act) |
29 |
Warrant – Return to Prison |
5 |
Prisoner Transfer |
2 |
Person in Care |
1 |
Total Unique Persons |
209 |
Note: Data in the above table relates to the reason for the custody episode, rather than necessarily the circumstances that required a person to be held in custody overnight.
“Form 6” is a Bail Undertaking whereby an accused undertakes to appear as directed in court.
A count of unique persons means that a person will be counted in each category that applies to them but only counted once in the total. Therefore, the sum of the categories will not equal the total unique persons.