An increase in at-risk youths has resulted in more calls for permanent youth policing officers to be based in Busselton.
Around 80 per cent of youths seen through the Busselton Youth and Activities Building would benefit from police intervention, said City of Busselton director of community and commercial services Naomi Searle.
Since the youth precinct and Dunsborough Skatepark opened, increased engagement with youth has given the City more awareness about the number of at-risk youth in the region.
"And the extent at which this is increasing," Ms Searle said.
Ms Searle said as the population increased the city's demographic had also changed with a higher percentage of families and youths than previous years.
"Busselton police station has 24 police officers, this has not increased since 2002 despite a significant population increase," she said.
Four youth policing officers who currently service Busselton are based in Bunbury and cover an area from Waroona to Margaret River.
"This doesn't allow them to spend enough time in the City of Busselton where the population is highest," Ms Searle said.
"There are social and economic benefits to both individuals and the broader community.
"Establishing strong relationships with specialist trained police officers can help young people establish a more positive attitude towards police and greater respect for the law and their community."
City officers are seeing youth facing increased domestic violence, drug use, physical and physiological neglect from parents and care givers.
"Youths are experiencing poor mental health, increased criminal behaviours and drug use from a younger age," Ms Searle said.
"The number of youths disengaged from school has also increased in the last few years."
South West superintendent Geoff Stewart said the youth policing officers travelled to Busselton regularly.
"They are involved in several programs in Busselton and work with the youths at risk education and juvenile justice meetings," he said.
"They are also involved in family interventions.
"If there was an increased need for it we have the flexibility to send people down there."
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said youth policing officers were fantastic at engaging with youth and it remained clear that Busselton urgently needs at least two to be permanently based in the city.
"Busselton has not had an increase in police officers since 2002 despite the growth in population to nearly 40,000," she said.
"Busselton has the same number of police officers as Esperance, which is a town half the size."
"I am continuing to urge the McGowan government to consider this region which is almost at crisis point when it comes to community support."
Responding for the police minister, the honourable Stephen Dawson said in parliament on Thursday that youth policing officers spent at least one day a week in Busselton.
Mr Dawson said they assisted partner agencies with harm minimisation and diversion strategies.
