Keeping track of building site crime

Police were able to home in on the signal given off by the hidden tracker and ended up charging the offender.

Meridian Services director Kevin Minchinton is trying to prevent these types of worksite thefts. He is involved in Builders United to Stop Theft (BUSTED).

Four of Perth’s biggest builders ” ABN Group, BGC, Summit Home Group and JWH Group ” established the program.

Meridian Services provided security services to BUSTED and worked closely with WA police to catch offenders.

Mr Minchinton said the program was about catching offenders as well as encouraging the community to report suspicious activity.

‘It works with each site under construction from the four builders protected by BUSTED,’ he said.

‘This means signage, patrols, investigation and a number to call to report suspicious activity and building site crime.’

Mr Minchinton said a high percentage of building site crime showed no sign of forced entry.

‘Industry figures suggest over $25 million per annum of building site crime with those costs ultimately passed on to consumers,’ he said.

‘There are seasonal trends too with illegal dumping being a greater problem around Christmas and graffiti and damage increasing during school holidays.

‘Statistical evidence is collated in the BUSTED data base and used by members and the police to identify targeted building material and form security strategies to stop the trend and identify offenders.’

Call 1800 637 434 to report suspicious activity.