Man seriously injured after being struck with golf club at Perth café

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a man waiting for coffee on Pier Street in Perth's central business district was struck on the head with a golf club, leaving him with serious injuries and bleeding from the back of his head. Witnesses described the attack as sudden and unprovoked, with some throwing chairs to push the aggressor back while others held him until police could intervene. The victim was transported to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment, and the attacker was later charged with unlawful wounding.

The incident adds to growing unease among downtown merchants, who cite a rise in property damage and feel unsafe despite a decline in other crimes. Recent vandalism, including an $8,000 window repair after a brick was thrown through a nearby studio, has prompted the city to increase lighting, night patrols and CCTV coverage, now operating nearly 850 cameras. Mayor Bruce Reynolds emphasized ongoing investments to improve safety in the CBD.