Police move to cut Kojonup crime

Extra police resources are expected to be allocated to Kojonup in response to rising crime rates and voiced concerns from residents.

A spate of burglaries and thefts in recent months led to a vocal response from residents at a recent law and order forum with Police Minister Liza Harvey pushing for more officers to be stationed in the town.

In 2016, burglary offences rose by 300 per cent with 84 burglaries recorded, up from 28 in 2015.

Regional WA Commander Lawrence Panaia acknowledged crime figures in the town were up and said operations were currently under way to curb crime.

“In the current year to date, crime figures for Kojonup sub-district have increased from 125 to 170 offences, with burglaries increasing from 37 to 57,” he said.

“Local operations are under way to address this recent rise in offending behaviour in the town and surrounds.”

Cdr Panaia said extra detectives were likely to be sent to the Great Southern to service the district, including Kojonup.

“In addition, specialist services from the metropolitan area frequently conduct operations in the Great Southern,” he said.

“The State crime portfolio, for example, has undertaken operations in the district in recent months involving Perth-based officers from the serious and organised crime unit with the canine unit providing support for several warrants in Kojonup.

“From time to time operational requirements will see police officers in the Great Southern district work across station boundaries.”

In other crime statistics obtained by The Extra from smaller towns in the Great Southern, burglaries increased slightly in Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Walpole and Denmark from 2015 to 2016 while the burglary rate halved in Mt Barker from 16 to only seven last year. However, assaults rose in Mt Barker from 29 to 43.