April 2021 Building and Construction Industry Crime Statistics

With the continued increase in building and construction activity, our residential builder members have seen a significant decrease in reported crime from the previous month. A total of 24 incidents of burglary, theft and damage were reported to Police, a 52% decrease in reports from the previous month and a 28% decrease from the 2020/21 monthly average.

11 x burglaries, 1 attempted burglary, 11 x stealing, and 1 x damage incident were reported during the month, with an additional 13 x illegal rubbish dumping. Of the 37 reports, 3 were received from Land Developers, 1 from a Civil Contractor, 1 from a residential builder in the southwest. The remainder of the reports were received from metro area builders. Baldivis, Madora Bay, and Harrisdale recorded 2 burglaries, with the southern suburbs recording 55% of the reported crime.

After a significant increase in reported crime in March, PACT Investigators assisted in another 4 offenders being charged with building site crime in April.

PACT investigators liaised with Joondalup detectives after two separate burglaries on a civil contractor’s members site in Eglinton. Investigators supplied onsite CCTV footage to Police who were able to link the vehicle to several burglaries in the northern suburbs. The offender was using false registration plates when committing offences, but his vehicle was later identified with the correct registration plates. Joondalup detectives executed a search warrant on his home and recovered a large number of stolen tools, many of which the offender admitted stealing from the Eglinton site. PACT investigators collected the property from the police and returned it to our member.

After a burglary on a building site in Madora Bay where the offender stole a solar inverter, PACT investigators arranged a Police forensic examination at the site. As a result of the examination, police identified a possible offender and executed a search warrant on the suspects home. Although the stolen property was not located, the offender was subsequently charged with burglary.   

PACT investigators initiated investigations with Cockburn Police after identifying a stolen hot water unit for sale on social media. The unit was traced back to a non-members building site in Beeliar, and as a result of information supplied, Police executed a search warrant on a house in Beeliar. Unfortunately, the hot water unit had been sold, but Police located 2 hotplates and a laundry trough, believed stolen. One of the hotplates was tracked back to another burglary on a non-member site in Beeliar. Inquiries are continuing to locate the owners of the other stolen property. A female will be charged with receiving stolen goods, whilst her boyfriend will be charged with several burglaries.

After new copper/scrap metal regulations commenced on December 1st 2020 (more information HERE) no reports were received for the month, since then we have seen increased reporting each month. April had 4 reports with window frames stolen from a site in Kenwick and electrical cable stolen from sites in Bushmead, Cloverdale and Wanneroo.

Pact investigators continue to liaise with locals councils in relation to illegal rubbish dumping. Several incidents are under investigation after evidence was located within the rubbish to suggest possible offenders.

PACT Site Security continues to closely liaise with WA Police through our industry-based MOU to provide a holistic approach toward reducing crime and illegal rubbish dumping and providing a safe and secure environment for members, trades, and the wider community.

Ensure you report all building and construction theft and damage to assist the industry in reducing the impact of crime.

Builders, land developers and civil contractors can contact 1800 272 836 or go HERE to connect and discuss.