Gov't rejects Paul Filing's claims about poor policing in the northern suburbs

30/9/98

Police Minister Kevin Prince today labelled as 'utter sensationalism and misinformation' suggestions the State Government lacked commitment to policing in Perth's northern suburbs.

Mr Prince was responding to a newsletter by Paul Filing, the Independent Member for Moore, which claimed the State Government had adopted a 'soft approach' to crime prevention and a dismal police to population ratio of 1:10,000 in Perth's northern suburbs.

"In his pathetic attempt to perpetuate the popular myth that Perth is the crime capital of Australia and the State Government is doing nothing to tackle the issue, Mr Filing can't even get his facts right," the Minister said.

"The fact is Western Australia has a police to population ratio of 1:371 which is considerably higher than the national average of 1:458.

"In the metropolitan area, that figure is 1 officer to every 653 citizens."

The Minister said that while the 'zero tolerance' policy had been adopted in this State in relation to particular problems including outlaw motor cycle gangs and graffiti, it was not the sole answer to fixing crime in Western Australia.

"While it is a populist view among the misinformed that Perth should adopt a 'zero tolerance' policy similar to that which operates in New York, the WA Police Service has developed and is implementing a comprehensive range of policies and strategies which are already having a significant impact on criminal activity," Mr Prince said.

"These policies and strategies include the targeting of hot spots of crime, targeting recidivist offenders and repeat victims of crime.

"We are also working closely with other Government agencies and local government authorities on solving the underlying problems that lead to crime as well as crime prevention strategies."

Far from having an unsuccessful policing program in Perth's northern suburbs, Mr Prince said many programs in the area had already produced pleasing results.

"A full-time burglary investigation team at Mirrabooka resulted in an increased rate of arrest for house burglaries while a burglary reduction program in Joondalup has been so successful, clearance rates for the last three months of 1997-98 averaged 21 per cent compared to the State average of 14 per cent," Mr Prince said.

"The burglary reduction program will now be duplicated in five other metropolitan police districts.

"We have improved the working conditions for our police officers by spending more than $19 million on nine new police stations - including Hillarys, Mirrabooka and Morley - in the metropolitan area over the past two years.

"A Liquor Accord was established in the Joondalup area which has been an effective means of reducing crime and violence involving intoxicated people in and around licensed premises and a police ranger unit has been established at Two Rocks, an isolated community which has few facilities for young people.

"A partnership with the City of Stirling has seen the introduction of a project for the rapid removal of all graffiti and ongoing maintenance to help ensure the city remains graffiti-free."

Mr Prince rejected claims by Mr Filing that the State Government was "tinkering" with the issue and that Perth's crime problems would simply go away with an increase in police numbers.

"As a result of restructuring more than 300 positions have been civilianised allowing more police officers to return to operational duties," the Minister said.

"This Government is serious about tackling crime through a broad range of initiatives which includes the involvement of the entire community.

"Solving crime is not solely a police responsibility - it is a shared responsibility between the police and the community."

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9220 5000