City of Mandurah takes new approach on crime

Despite a recent decrease in crime in some areas, the City said crime continues to be a concern in Mandurah, with reported crime broadly on the increase.

“It appeares that as Mandurah’s population grows, along with dwelling numbers so are reported offences,” a report by the City read.

City of Mandurah community and social development manager Tim Hartland said crime had dropped by 10 per cent last month, but assaults continue to be on the rise.

The latest one, a 70-year-old woman indecently assaulted at a public toilet block on Falcon Bay beach on Wednesday morning.

However, Mr Hartland said Mandurah was still a safe place in comparison with other areas.

The new community safety and crime prevention strategy will guide the City’s actions on crime-related matters until 2022, and it is divided into social development, environmental design, and community action, connection and involvement initiatives.

Some of the ideas to tackle crime in Mandurah and surrounds include the promotion of community engaging events in neighbourhoods, promoting Mandurah as a safe and vibrant destination, installing suitable lighting and CCTV cameras around town, and improving walking paths connecting the foreshore and the Marina.

They also aim to address anti-social behaviour and improve social development by encouraging good parenting practices, reducing poor education outcomes and addressing domestic violence in the region.

Within the environmental design initiatives, the City would also create public traffic designs to minimise hooning opportunities and ensure graffiti is promptly removed.

Mandurah mayor Marina Vergone said thestrategy was a vital component of future planning to help Mandurah to be a safe and vibrant community.

“Local government has a key role to play in creating vibrant and liveable communities and our strategy focuses on a proactive approach to help residents feel safe,” she said.

“The new plan focuses on social issues which are often the drivers of crime and this will help to make Mandurah a safer place to live, work and play.”