Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan addresses a forum in Ellenbrook in May with Police Minister Liza Harvey and Senior Sergeant Wally Brierley
Camera IconPolice Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan addresses a forum in Ellenbrook in May with Police Minister Liza Harvey and Senior Sergeant Wally Brierley Credit: Supplied/David Baylis        www.communitypix.com.au d452404

Ellenbrook crime claims rejected

Montana ArdonHills Avon Valley Gazette

Figures released last week claimed that crime in Ellenbrook had increased more than 27 per cent.

Senior Sergeant Wal Brierley said that was not the case.

“Reported crime in Ellenbrook at end of last financial year was 1.9 per cent down from the previous year,” he said. “Every offence type had a downward trend; we have done very well.

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“I am not privy as to where those statistics came from.”

Sgt Brierley took over as officer-in-charge of the Ellenbrook district, home to about 65,000 residents, in September last year.

He said in the nine months he had been at the station to June 30, theft was down 24 per cent overall.

“I’m concerned about putting steps in place to mitigate any trends we see,” he said.

“We adjusted our night-time operations for burglary when it was occurring and as a result, it dropped.”

Ellenbrook Ward councillor David McDonnell said accurate figures could not be taken from a suburb with such a rapid growth rate.

“You can read stats and figures and direct them and guide them towards any outcome you want,” he said.

“The suburb has grown about 6000 people in last 12 months. I believe we are actually stabilising, if not to point where (crime) is on a decline.”

Cr McDonnell said he had confidence in the local policing team.

“Just because we don’t see results, doesn’t meant it’s not going down,” he said.

“I believe the proof is 12 months away and I look forward to seeing the results.”

The comments came after Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban hit out earlier this week at “negative journalists” who were “trashing Ellenbrook’s home and neighbourhood.”