New laws crack down on serial stealing but Kalgoorlie-Boulder businesses are not convinced about enforcement

New WA laws cracking down on repeat stealing offenders are designed to deter petty theft and shoplifting but Kalgoorlie-Boulder businesses are not convinced they will be enforced. The reforms announced last week expand the range of sentencing options available to courts, meaning repeat low-level stealing can see offenders sent to jail. In the past, criminals in WA could repeatedly steal items worth $1000 or less the Magistrates Court could only ever slap them with fines — no matter how many stealing convictions were on their record. The Cook Government‘s new reforms remove the “fine only” penalty limit when someone is convicted of stealing with two or more prior stealing offences on their record in the past 12 months. These repeat offenders instead face a higher maximum penalty of two-years imprisonment and fine up to $24,000. The latest police data reveal 440 charges were laid for shoplifting offences in the Goldfields-Esperance region in 2023, a figure up 41 per cent from 2018 when the records started. Longtime local and owner of Kalgoorlie Newsagency Kerry Holman said the reforms were “fantastic” and should have happened years ago. But she was concerned the new penalties would not be enforced by the courts. “The only thing I think is wrong with it that is there are too many grey areas,” she said. “I don’t think it’s anywhere near harsh enough in that respect, because it says ‘if two or more prior convictions’ but it doesn’t say ‘you’re going to jail’, the magistrate still has the power. “It still won’t make any difference, the magistrate still won’t do anything about it.” She also said the penalties would need to be more severe before serial offenders were deterred. “I don’t think the new reforms will make any difference, nothing frightens them and nothing worries them because they’re untouchable,” she said. “It should be compulsory — if you steal a second time you’re in jail.” Ms Holman has run her newsagency on Hannan Street for two decades, and said the regular shoplifting made her eager to get home each day. Rad & Rose Boutique co-owner Nichaela Patu has lived in Kalgoorlie-Boulder since she was three and said she saw the same serial shoplifters stealing today who stole from her mum’s local business when she was a teenager. “We’ve been around for a long time and we know who to watch out for — that’s actually a sad thing,” Ms Patu said. “We all as shop owners know who we need to be careful of. “I think as a store owner, you probably think ‘Why are you doing this anymore?’ if you have the same people coming through and stealing and getting away with it.” Ms Patu, who has run her shop on Hannan Street for two years, welcomes the reforms but said she was not convinced they would necessarily be enforced. “I’m hoping that reforms will make a difference for us,” she said “That’s whether or not they stick to them . . . because most people get all the way to court and then that’s where it fails us.” Ms Patu has high hopes the new reform would be enough to make repeat thieves think twice. “You would hope that the thought of going to prison or going back again will make you be like, ‘Oh, no, I won’t do that again’,” she said. Kalgoorlie Tours & Charters store manager Charlotte Billam agreed the stricter penalties might help. “More law enforcement would be good because it’s not fair for small businesses and even larger businesses to have things stolen,” Ms Billam said. “If they’re not going to be punished, they’re going to do it again.” Ms Billam said the success of the laws would depend on whether they were enforced. WA Premier Roger Cook said the reforms offered a “common-sense” sentencing option that would send a clear message to criminals who thought they were above the law. “Serial shoplifters shouldn’t be allowed to snub their nose at the law and that is why my government is taking action,” Mr Cook said. “This new crackdown specifically targets repeat offenders who simply refuse to respect the community and the courts.”