Rockingham crime rates down – but police say it could be better

Senior Sergeant Brett Reyne said local police were tracking well in terms of volume crime rates, particularly burglaries and stealing offences.

“There was a 4.9 per cent reduction in burglary offences since the same time last year,” he said.

“Stealing offences were down 9 per cent and a 4.5 per cent reduction in graffiti offences.”

Despite the encouraging results, Sen Sgt Reyne said police could do better.

“We need residents to take precautions to prevent opportunistic crime,” he said.

“We are still getting people leaving garage doors open or side gates open and/or unlocked.

“People are going to sleep with windows open and burglars can gain access to houses by removing the flywire.”

Sen Sgt Reyne said once burglars had access to a house, they would target wallets, handbags and equipment that was mobile.

“One stealing offence can turn into multiple frauds once burglars have access to PayPass,” he said.

Sen Sgt Reyne urged residents to secure their homes and be security conscious.