Vigilance urged over CBD crime

Businesses are being urged to be vigilant after a spate of thefts in the Busselton CBD.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam this week met with Busselton police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Jason Van der Ende and City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley to discuss antisocial behaviour and theft after the issue was raised with her by constituents and retailers.

Mrs Mettam encouraged local retailers to report any petty crime or antisocial behaviour to Busselton police.

“Local police are working hard to engage with the community, in particular the retail sector, and this has resulted in increased reports of crime to police,” she said.

“I encourage everyone to report crime and/or any suspicious or criminal behaviour to contact police on 131 444. These concerns are taken seriously and addressed locally.”

Mrs Mettam said measures were being put in place to help reduce crime, including a boost in numbers from two to six local detectives and a pool of an additional 38 officers to draw on during peak periods.

Sen. Sgt Van der Ende said parents also needed to take responsibility for their children over the holiday period. “Just because it is school holidays doesn’t mean parental responsibility ceases,” he said.

“Parents need to know where their kids are.

“There are some kids running amok around town and we are trying our best to address this but at the end of the day it comes down to parental responsibility.”

Sen. Sgt van der Ende said on Wednesday Busselton police had also charged two juveniles with stealing a motor vehicle after they allegedly stole two scooters.

He said one of the boys would appear in court while the other had been referred to the Juvenile Justice Team. “Our concern is that we don’t normally see scooters stolen in Busselton,” he said.

Busselton police have asked members of the public to come forward with any information about other possible offenders.