Three young detainees at Perth's Banksia Hill Detention Centre have scaled the facility's roof, with officers in riot gear seen responding and damage visible in aerial footage. A Department of Justice spokesperson said staff were monitoring the situation and there was no risk to the wider public.
"The department can confirm there are three young people on the roof at Banksia Hill with staff monitoring the situation," a Department of Justice spokesperson said just after 6pm. "There is no risk to the wider public."
Aerial footage from Friday evening showed damage to the centre, including two windows, part of the roof and an air conditioning unit. At one stage, one of the detainees threw what appeared to be a brick to the ground. Officers in riot gear were seen responding while other staff spoke to the young people on the roof.
Banksia Hill is Western Australia's main youth detention facility, usually holding boys and girls aged between 10 and 17 years old. The incident comes almost a year after the last major incident at the centre, when at least six young people scaled the roof in late November last year and three remained there overnight. It appears extra fencing has since been added to parts of the facility's roof.
There have been a number of riots at the site in recent years, including one in 2023, which the then-premier described as a “form of terrorism” and which ended when armed guards pointed weapons at the heads of teenagers. It came amid years of dysfunction in the state's youth justice system, which has since largely been resolved.
The state government is currently undertaking a $67 million project for “upgrades and urgent works” at the facility, expected to be completed this year. Work is also progressing on a new $156 million youth detention centre alongside Banksia Hill, designed to support the most high-risk detainees and expected to open in 2028.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident underscores persistent security challenges at Western Australia's primary youth detention facility.
- It comes as the government invests significantly in upgrades and a new facility, raising questions about the current centre's short-term stability.
- The event risks reigniting public and political debate over the management of young offenders in the state.
Background
Banksia Hill Detention Centre is Western Australia's main facility for young offenders aged 10 to 17. The centre has a history of high-profile unrest, including a major riot in 2023 and a rooftop protest in late 2025. The state government has committed over $200 million to upgrading the existing facility and building a new high-security section.
What to Watch
- Whether the situation de-escalates overnight or requires further intervention.
- The completion of the $67 million urgent works project, due this year.
- Any political fallout or changes to operational procedures at the centre.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThree detainees scaled the roof of Perth's Banksia Hill Detention Centre.Just In: “Three detainees at Perth's Banksia Hill Detention Centre have scaled the facility's roof”
- SupportedThe Department of Justice said there was no risk to the wider public and staff were monitoring the situation.Just In: “"The department can confirm there are three young people on the roof at Banksia Hill with staff monitoring the situation," a Department of Justice spokesperson said just after 6pm. "There is no risk to the wider public."”
- SupportedOfficers in riot gear were seen responding, and aerial footage showed damage to the centre.Just In: “Aerial footage from Friday evening showed damage to the centre, including two windows, part of the roof and an air conditioning unit. One of the detainees threw what appeared to be a brick to the ground at one stage. Officers in riot gear are seen responding.”
- SupportedThe spokesperson said, “The department can confirm there are three young people on the roof at Banksia Hill with staff monitoring the situation.”Just In: “"The department can confirm there are three young people on the roof at Banksia Hill with staff monitoring the situation," a Department of Justice spokesperson said just after 6pm.”
- SupportedThe spokesperson said, “There is no risk to the wider public.”Just In: “"There is no risk to the wider public."”
- SupportedAerial footage showed damage including two windows, part of the roof and an air conditioning unit.Just In: “Aerial footage from Friday evening showed damage to the centre, including two windows, part of the roof and an air conditioning unit.”
- SupportedOne detainee threw what appeared to be a brick to the ground.Just In: “One of the detainees threw what appeared to be a brick to the ground at one stage.”
- SupportedBanksia Hill is Western Australia's main youth detention facility, usually holding boys and girls aged 10 to 17.Just In: “Banksia Hill is the state's main youth detention facility, usually holding boys and girls aged between 10 and 17 years old.”
- SupportedAt least six young people scaled the roof in late November last year, and three remained there overnight.Just In: “At least six young people scaled the roof of the facility in late November last year , with three remaining there overnight.”
- SupportedExtra fencing appears to have been added to parts of the facility's roof since the previous incident.Just In: “It appears extra fencing has been added to some parts of the roof of the facility since that incident.”
- SupportedA 2023 riot was described by the then-premier as a “form of terrorism” and ended when armed guards pointed weapons at teenagers' heads.Just In: “There have been a number of riots at the site in recent years, including one in 2023, which then-premier described as a "form of terrorism" and which was ended when armed guards pointed weapons at the heads of teenagers.”
- SupportedThe government has a $67 million project for facility upgrades and urgent works due to be completed this year, and a new $156 million centre alongside Banksia Hill is expected to open in 2028.Just In: “Work is continuing on a new $156 million youth detention facility located alongside Banksia Hill to provide support for the most high-risk detainees, which is expected to open in 2028. The government has been working on a $67 million project for "upgrades and urgent works" at the facility, which is due to be completed this year.”