More officers on beat in the heat

A $5 million State Government funding boost will help create increased police presence on the streets of Rockingham and Kwinana over summer.

The money will provide more than 50,000 additional police hours across WA, significantly increasing patrols in suburban centres and regional cities.

Rockingham Police Station officer-in-charge Sgt Neville Beard said the public could expect additional police out and about in shopping centres, beach locations, car parks and entertainment precincts.

“The Rockingham police have been provided with an injection of government funding to deliver additional policing hours across the Rockingham police district over the summer months,” he said.

“Operation Heat Shield will see an increase in high visibility policing in and around areas we’ve identified as crime hot spots.

“These offences include theft from motor vehicles in carparks, retail theft, antisocial behaviour and family violence.”

Sgt Beard said Rockingham detectives would will also be provided with additional hours, to target high-harm investigations and priority volume crime offenders across the district.

“We welcome any information from the community which might assist us in reducing the impact of crime across the community,” he said.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said there was usually a rise in crime over summer and the funding was about being proactive and giving the community reassurance.

“Whilst these types of operations have been run in the past, the McGowan Government is providing record funding to ensure a sustained effort by police across the State,” she said.

“Overall crime is down and our aim is to continue to cut crime by providing our police with the resources they need.”