Police warn of crime spike in Mandurah

Mandurah officer-in-charge Glen Willers said some suburbs were being targeted by thieves more than others.

Senior Sergeant Willers said holiday homes in Halls Head were easy pickings, while Lakelands was vulnerable due to the number of new homes in the area.

“We have been working with neighbourhood watch in Lakelands,” Sgt Willers said.

WA Police and Mandurah Police have implemented Operation Sweep.

As a result, Sgt Willers said they had already seen a 20 per cent decrease in burglaries in the last fortnight.

“The reduction is bringing the rate down to normal levels,” he said.

Sgt Willers said officers from out of town were flooding into Mandurah.

In Mandurah alone, Operation Sweep was responsible for 34 people being arrested, 46 people summonsed to court and 29 vehicle stops.

RAC Insurance home claims manager Glen Walker said there had been a 25 per cent increase in the number of home burglaries in WA for the July and August period this year, compared to 2014. In 2014, they received 385 home contents theft claims compared to 480 so far this year.

Claims have also increased by $400 on average.

Crime Prevention Unit Sergeant Paul Trimble said he had also seen a spike in cars thefts.

Sgt Trimble said homeowners needed to secure their car keys at home.

“The majority of burglaries being committed at night are through unlocked doors and windows,” he said.

Sgt Trimble also urged people to make sure their garage door was down before they went to sleep.