Perth crime rate higher than last year

Perth's crime rate jumped more than 10 per cent in February compared to the same period last year, the ninth month in a row that has happened.

For the year to February, WA police crime statistics show there were 16,000 more verified offences compared to the previous year, with significant jumps in domestic assault and threatening behaviour.

WA police minister Liza Harvey pointed to monthly data that showed there were fewer offences in February compared to January this year.

There were almost 14,700 total offences in February, the lowest overall crime figure since September last year.

"While it appears the crime statistics are mostly trending down each month, I know police will remain relentless in getting criminals off our streets," Ms Harvey said.

Perth was on track to record the highest crime rates of any year under the current government according to opposition police spokeswoman Michelle Roberts.

"Other states have put in place much better strategies to reduce domestic violence, they have put in place better strategies to reduce methamphetamine use," Ms Roberts said.

WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said the monthly downtrend was encouraging but inconclusive, and it would take until the end of the financial year to identify a distinguishable trend.