14/12/06
The State Government has expanded its highly successful anti-burglary blitz into more suburbs in the south-east metropolitan area.
Community Safety Minister John Kobelke said the Burglar Beware campaign would now be operating in the Gosnells and Armadale police sub-districts.
The move complements the recent launch of the Burglary Action Taskforce (BAT), which is successfully targeting burglars in the south-east metropolitan district, working in partnership with the Office of Crime Prevention.
Gosnells sub-district comprises the suburbs of Beckenham, Canning Vale, Forest Lakes, Gosnells, Hungtingdale, Kenwick, Langford, Maddington, Martin, Orange Grove, Southern River and Thornlie.
Armadale sub-district comprises the suburbs of Armadale, Araluen, Bedfordale, Brookdale, Canning Dam, Churchman Brook, Forestdale, Karragullen, Kelmscott, Mt Nasura, Roleystone, Seville Grove, Westfield and Wungong.
Mr Kobelke said this area accounted for almost a quarter of the State's reported home burglaries. However, over the last three years the district had recorded an impressive drop of more than 29 per cent in reported residential burglaries.
"This big improvement can be attributed to the success of Burglar Beware in Belmont, and Kensington sub-districts," he said.
"More recently, we have seen the program launched in the Cannington area and a significant number of offenders being charged by the BAT, as a result of 'spatial analysis' (mapping of crime hot spots and linked offences), offender management using forensic evidence and information from the public."
Burglar Beware is based on a successful pilot project - Operation Burglary Countdown - introduced by the State's Burglary Reduction Taskforce and conducted in Bentley, Morley and Carnarvon in 2003, which brought reductions of up to 50 per cent over the period of the pilot project.
"Reducing burglary continues to be a major priority for the Government and I am confident that the success of Burglar Beware elsewhere will be repeated in Gosnells and Armadale," the Minister said.
"Burglar Beware involves a multi-pronged attack on burglary - a focused police effort using the latest technology and techniques, public awareness campaigns and a package of crime prevention initiatives."
Key elements of the Burglar Beware campaign include:
- targeted police operations;
- stolen goods strategy;
- 'Eyes on the Street' intelligence-gathering initiative;
- local implementation teams;
- home security audits;
- support and advice for burglary victims to minimise re-victimisation; and
- truancy initiatives.
"Safety and security are the foundation of any community and it is very pleasing to see local authorities taking a lead role in addressing home burglary," Mr Kobelke said.
"I encourage all local businesses, schools, community groups and residents in the Gosnells and Armadale region to get involved to reduce burglary and improve public safety."
The Burglar Beware local management team has representatives from the WA Police, local government, Department for Community Development; and Departments of Housing and Works and Education and Training, City of Armadale and City of Gosnells rangers and businesses.
"Burglary is not just a police problem, it is a community problem and by working in partnership with other State Government agencies and the community, we can tackle the issue head on," the Minister said.
He said with Christmas and the summer holiday period upon us, all members of the community should use the tips on the Burglar Beware website to stop themselves becoming victims.
For further information go to:
http://www.burglarbeware.wa.gov.au Minister's office - 9222 9211
