Cops quell SW crime concerns

Lisa Thomas, BUSSELTON DUNSBOROUGH TIMESBusselton Dunsborough Times
Busselton Police Senior Sergeant Steve Principe.
Camera IconBusselton Police Senior Sergeant Steve Principe. Credit: Gordon Becker

Busselton residents say they fear for their safety after an increase of crime reports on social media.

They believe higher-scale offending is becoming a problem in Busselton and want a 24-hour police station to target the issue.

However, Busselton police Senior Sergeant Steve Principe said it was nothing more than Facebook hysteria and the crime rate had actually dropped in the past two years.

Resident Val Pascoe told the Times people felt intimidated in their own homes.

"I've lived in Busselton for 21 years and I've never seen as many cars and homes getting broken into," she said.

"Gone are the days when you can have a few drinks and know you will be safe to walk home along the cycle way from town to West Busselton or Geographe.

"There seems to be a lot of youth roaming the streets at night and police say it is no concern, but it is worrying.

"The police station closes at 3.45pm on weekdays and Busselton is largely unmanned at night, if at all after 1am.

"A lot of the crime in Busselton stems from problems with drugs and I think a 24-hour police station, as well as more local specialised services for mental health and drug addiction would help."

The Busselton Community Watch Facebook page has drafted a petition for a 24-hour police station which will be presented to State Parliament by Vasse MLA Libby Mettam.

Snr Sgt Principe said a lot of the statements made on social media were fear-mongering and were not helping anyone in the community.

"We haven't had an increase in stolen cars or burglaries," he said.

"Crime is not an issue in Busselton, it is one of the safest cities in WA and the people who believe it isn't need to spend a week in Perth to see what real crime is.

"People need to start helping themselves and locking cars and putting valuable belongings out of sight.

"Police are here to protect people against real crime - we are not your personal security guards."

Snr Sgt Principe said at this stage a 24-hour police station would be out of the question.

"I can tell you right now that when the Police Commissioner looks at the crime statistics for Busselton and sees how low they are he won't see the need," he said.

"A 24-hour police station means nothing - we have police out doing patrols at night and we will be there, no matter what time, if we are needed. Throwing additional police at a problem is not a solution."

Ms Mettam said she had been a major supporter for extra police and a 24/7 police service for Busselton and would continue to press the case for the community.

"The petition was created by representatives of the Busselton Community Watch group and I will have a copy of this at the electorate office, if anyone is interested in signing this," she said.

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