Community Safety and Crime Prevention co-ordinator Graeme Todd with a new Community Watch vehicle.
Camera IconCommunity Safety and Crime Prevention co-ordinator Graeme Todd with a new Community Watch vehicle. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Criminals watch out

Sarah Motherwell, Southern GazetteSouthern Gazette

The City of Belmont will spend $482,582.31 on the added security vehicle, which includes the cost of the car, installation of CCTV cameras, patrol officers’ salary and maintenance fees.

The vehicle will mainly patrol the Kewdale industrial and Perth Airport areas, allowing the existing vehicles to focus on residential areas and assist in responding to incidents throughout the City.

Belmont chief executive Stuart Cole said the City proposed the extra vehicle in response to a recent survey in which the community identified security and safety as a main area of concern.

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‘The Community Watch patrols often receive positive feedback from residents regarding their prompt response to incidents and also many residents express that just seeing the Community Watch vehicle in their area gives them a great feeling of safety and security,’ Mr Cole said.

‘The officers regularly liaise with the police and assist when necessary, and also patrol crime or anti-social behaviour hot spots identified by police and residents.’

During 2012-13, the Community Watch patrols attended 5021 incidents, a 43 per cent increase from the previous year of 3511 attended incidents.

Mr Cole said Belmont was proactive in its approach to crime prevention, through initiatives including free graffiti removal, security patrols and appraisals, to address the perception and fear of crime in the area.

DetailsIncidents attended by theCommunity Watch in2012-13:Suspicious vehicles – 78Suspicious people – 284Anti-social behaviour – 590Attempted burglary – 27Alarm response other – 1635