People often don’t realise that it is illegal to put rubbish in building site skip bins.
Camera IconPeople often don’t realise that it is illegal to put rubbish in building site skip bins. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Wellard a hot spot for crime at building sites

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

Compiled by Meridian Services, the latest report is part of the BUSTED (Builders United to Stop Theft) campaign.

It is a joint effort between ABN Group, BGC, JWN Group and Summit Homes to prevent construction site-related crime.

May reports showed theft and illegal dumping at home building sites had cost the four companies close to $130,000 – up 38 per cent on the previous month.

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Meridian Services operations manager Darren Anstee said the crimes were incurring huge costs for the building industry.

“It has a flow-on effect to homeowners by creating building delays and increased insurance premiums,” he said.

“Residents need to be our eyes on the ground and call out theft and illegal dumping when they see it happen through our building site crime hotline.

Wellard followed closely behind Aveley, Brabham, Dalyellup and Southern River as hot spots for building site crime, with doors, windows, hot plates and rangehoods frequently targeted by thieves.

He said security at building sites was being ramped up, with building materials and appliances increasingly being fitted with tracking devices.

“You won’t know what appliances have tracking devices,” he said. “At the end of the day you will get caught.

He said illegal dumping was the biggest issue and labelled it as a “faceless crime”, which cost the BUSTED alliance $15,000 last month.

“People often don’t realise the seriousness of putting rubbish in building site skip bins,” he said.

“I want to remind people that it is illegal.”

He encouraged residents to be vigilant and to photograph or note times and vehicle registration numbers if they witness a building site crime.

“If you haven’t got a pen and paper write it in the sand,” he said.

To report a building site crime phone 1800 637 434 or visit bustedwa.com.au.