June 2021 Building and Construction Crime Statistics
With the continued increase in building and construction activity, we are experiencing an increase in reported crime. A total of 32 incidents of burglary, theft and damage were reported to Police in June. A 60% increase in reports from May and equal to the 2020/21 monthly average.
7 x burglaries, 19 x stealing, and 6 x damage incidents were reported by PACT Members, with an additional 1 x suspicious activity and 13 x illegal rubbish dumping reports. Of the 46 reports, five related to Land Developers, two from Civil Contractors, and the remainder from metro residential builders.
The Golden Bay and Madora Bay areas have been the major hotspot, including five burglaries and two stealing with offenders targeting white goods, tiles, bathroom/kitchen fixtures and hot water systems. PACT investigators are working closely with Mandurah Detectives with GPS tracking deployed to members sites in the area. Burglaries were also committed in Rosehill Estate, South Guilford and Baldivis with Wellard and Hammond Park also current high crime areas.
Inquiries into the theft of a door frame in Madora Bay resulted in PACT investigators speaking to a bricklayer working on a site close by. It was confirmed that the door frame had been stolen and used at the site. After discussions with the builder, an amicable outcome without criminal charges was found. The bricklayer has been warned any future theft from a PACT member’s sites may result in a criminal charge.
Offenders damaged fencing at a civil contractors site in Eglinton after they entered a compound and drove machinery through fencing before abandoning the machine. In Southern River offenders entered a compound and stole a battery and fuel from one of the machines.
We have seen a significant increase in materials theft in June, with 19 reports, up 110% from the previous month. Theft reports include timber, cement, brickies hardware, durasheets and reinforcement mesh. A recent MBAWA industry Survey on ‘Supply & Demand Challenges & Constraints’ requested information on the current supply constraints impacting the industry, with increased material costs, increased trade costs and delivery delays impacting the residential, commercial, and civil sectors. With an ongoing supply shortage of building materials, we will see an increase in theft, which will amplify the problem.
New copper/scrap metal regulations commenced on December 1st 2020 (more information HERE). We have continued to see reduced reporting volumes compared to the period before the regulation change. PACT members reported only two incidents for the month with 1 x electrical cable in Carlisle 1 x window frames in Wellard. With the value of scrap copper at an all-time high of $10 per kilo, we would normally expect to see an increase in copper theft, not the case for PACT members at this time.
PACT Site Security continues to liaise with WA Police through our industry-based MOU. We provide our building industry members with a fast, efficient, and effective conduit to report crime, follow-up investigations and Police and local government liaison regarding crime and illegal rubbish dumping.
Builders, land developers and civil contractors can contact 1800 272 836 or go HERE to connect and discuss