Baldivis building site crackdown

The Baldivis policing team has cracked down on burglaries and stealing from houses under construction after a significant increase in criminal activity in growing estates.

Builders United to Stop Theft and Eradicate Dumping ranked Baldivis in the top five in the State for reports of criminal activity.

Director of security firm Meridian Services and BUSTED co-ordinator Kevin Minchinton said Baldivis was a hotspot for construction crime with 35 incidents reported in September alone, at a cost of $13,500.

Kwinana Senior Sergeant Glen Willers said police had conducted a covert operation this month codenamed Operation Centurion in Baldivis and Wellard, with intelligence-gathering revealing "rogue tradesmen" could be working at sites in the area.

"It has identified it is an industry problem we need to work through; there are obviously rogue tradesmen in the area because a lot of these houses under construction, where burglaries are being committed and property is being stolen, there is no forced entry and no windows or doors being broken," he said.

"It indicates to us that there are people who have construction keys getting into these houses or leaving windows and doors open for access."

Baldivis policing team First Class Constable Warren Dowbysch said various items were stolen, including white goods, water heaters, window frames, copper, bricks and cement.

Mr Minchinton said crime reports often went up when there was an increase in building activity in an area.

"Our statistics show that most of the people who are charged have something to do with the industry, which is a bit unfortunate," he said.

He said BUSTED was aiming to change the industry culture and help builders be more security conscious with awareness campaigns, which had reached Baldivis and would again in the coming weeks.

Mr Minchinton advised builders to keep their sites tidy, equipment and deliveries out of view, and to place BUSTED and business signage at sites.

Sen. Sgt Willers said police were correlating specific information and offenders would be targeted.

Residents and tradesmen are encouraged to report suspicious activity to BUSTED on 1800 637 434 or visit bustedwa.com.au.