Police expect theft incidents at Perth Royal Show to pick up after bad weekend weather kept crowds away

PEPPERSPRAY was used by police to subdue a man who allegedly would not leave the Perth Royal Show in Claremont about 4.30pm on Saturday.

“He was a stall holder, allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine and a smoking implement, who acted up when he was asked to leave by the Royal Agricultural Society,” Sergeant Carol Vernon said.

After the incident , a Forrestfield man (44) was charged with possession of a small amount of the drug and a pipe, hindering police and trespass.

He was bailed to reappear at Perth Magistrates Court on October 12.

Other incidents in the first three days of the show have included several snatches of bags and wallets from prams and backpacks, at least 12 reported lost children requiring police time to be reunited with their parents, and possible theft of spirits from a nearby bottle shop.

Sgt Vernon said reports included a stolen wallet, a mobile phone taken from a backpack, and a mobile phone taken from the top of a pram.

“Safeguard your handbags because we don’t want opportunities for thievery, and make sure children have the information they need to be returned to their parents, ” she said.

Any connection to the show is being investigated after three young women took bottles of spirits from the nearby Thirsty Camel bottle shop on Ashton Avenue about 9pm Saturday.

Police expect crime to increase after crowds were kept low by adverse weather during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, during which officers issued nine move-on notices for jumping perimeter fences.

Sgt Vernon said the weather may have reduced the number of cars parked near the show that are targets for thieves, but there had been no noticeable increase in traffic due to the closure of the Midland train line.

However, her officers were targeting patrols of the streets adjacent to the showgrounds.