Senior Sergeant Craig Davis with businessman Graeme Harris, who would like the increased police patrols to continue in the Midland region.
Camera IconSenior Sergeant Craig Davis with businessman Graeme Harris, who would like the increased police patrols to continue in the Midland region. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt

Police patrols deter street crime

Julian Wright, Midland ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

The operation was launched on May 27 after local business owners, many of whom were fed up with gangs of youths causing trouble and vandalism around their properties, urged the police to take more action.

Swan Chamber of Commerce chief Sandra Wallis said troublemakers were a constant issue for local business.

‘We get complaints all the time from our members,’ she said. ‘Many are always small crimes like stealing, sometimes in the middle of the day,’ she said.

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‘Last month, there was a gang of people wandering the streets but, since Operation Elektra began, we haven’t had any complaints.’

Midland Police Senior Sergeant Craig Davis said police had increased patrols in the Midland CBD and had also brought in mounted police to target low-volume crimes.

‘This week, we hope to have the rail group come out to patrol the train station and surrounding shopping centres.

‘It has been quiet since we began and we have not had any reports from business owners, but we are looking at making this operation continue into the summer months.’

Snr Sgt Davis said there would also be support from the K9 unit and Kiara and Forrestfield police, if required.

Graeme Harris, whose business Gun Mart Tackle had been targeted in the past, commended the efforts police were making to reduce crime.

‘Anything the police are doing to clean up is great,’ he said.

‘These businesses are our livelihoods, we don’t like to talk down the area’