Crime ” including assaults and street vandalism ” is on the rise, with some residents now unwilling to leave their homes at night because of groups of teens roaming the streets.
WA had a hospital admission rate from assault of 131 per 100,000 people in 2009-10, well above the national average of 105 per 100,000 and trailing only the Northern Territory.
The number of police officers assigned to Ellenbrook appears to fall well short of the State’s average.
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READ NOWWA Police has an authorised strength of 5634 officers. That is 235 officers for every 100,000 people, or one officer for every 425 citizens.
Based on the statewide ratio, Ellenbrook should now have a lot more full-time officers assigned to an area housing a population of 16,284.
Local crime rates indicate there would also be plenty for officers to do if the station was manned 24/7.
The Ellenbrook police station operates only 8am to 4pm on weekdays.
Figures provided by the WA Police business intelligence office show Perth’s population grew by almost 26 per cent between 2003 and 2012, compared with an 8 per cent rise in the number of full-time police officers.
You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to see those numbers don’t add up.
The State Government has already committed to 350 extra police under a staged, five-year program that began in 2009-10.
The police union says at least 800 more officers are needed over the next four years to maintain the strength of the force. That figure includes 200 more officers needed now.
The Barnett Government needs to increase police resources immediately to protect the public and their property.
Making residents feel safe in their homes should be a top priority.