Mandurah builder Steve Glossop is sick of stealing and vandalism from building sites.
Camera IconMandurah builder Steve Glossop is sick of stealing and vandalism from building sites. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson www.communitypix.com.au d475896

Mandurah builder ‘fed up’ with theft and vandalism at building sites

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

A MANDURAH builder is fed up with theft and vandalism at building sites which is costing him thousands a week.

Ryza Homes’ Steve Glossop, who has been in the building industry since 1981, has labelled the thefts “out of control”.

“It’s all through Mandurah, it’s rife,” he said.

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“Anything that’s not tied down, they’ll carry out.

“All builders – major and smaller – are experiencing this, nobody is immune.”

Mr Glossop believes people are stealing things like water meters and selling them to local salvage yards for drug money.

“We had four water meters stolen in three weeks – they’re $600 a piece to replace,” he said.

“They sell them for scrap; the salvage joints buy them for the brass.”

He also believes the majority of the vandalism is committed by juveniles.

“We had every window smashed at the (Ocean Hill, Lakelands) display home,” he said.

“At Ocean Hill on Sunday, we had the tiler working on site.

“He heard smashing and called police – it was six juveniles – it’s out of control.

“There’s lots of the vandalism by kids but stealing is rife.”

Mr Glossop said he has to have white goods – like ovens and cooktops – installed two days before the owners move in, otherwise they’re stolen.

He said there have even been instances where electrical wiring has been pulled or cut out.

“We have tried security but it doesn’t seem to work,” he said.

“As a last resort we are putting security cameras in.”

Mr Glossop said there was little point claiming insurance because there would be a huge rise in premiums.

He is asking people who live near building sites to remain vigilant, to take pictures of strange cars and phone police.

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