Court Results Driving Crime Reduction Across PACT Member Sites
Reported crime across PACT member construction sites has dropped sharply in recent months and is currently at their lowest point since PACT’s commencement in 2017.
A series of strong court outcomes and targeted police action are putting offenders behind bars and sending a clear message that site theft won’t be tolerated.
Since January 2025, PACT and WA Police investigations have resulted in nine adults imprisoned or receiving suspended prison sentences, one juvenile placed under strict supervision, and 10 offenders fined over $10,000, with 11 more offenders still before the courts.
These outcomes highlight that crime on PACT member sites is being actively pursued, offenders are being held accountable, and the reporting of crime works.
Recent results include:
🔹 Dawesville (Feb) Two adults received 12-month intensive supervision orders for theft of roofing timber.
🔹 Mindarie (Mar) Adult received a conditional suspended prison order and a juvenile a 6-month strict supervision order.
🔹 Hilbert (Apr) Adult male given a conditional suspended prison order for two burglaries. 🔹 Helena Valley(May) 8-month prison term for laundering stolen property, with 10 hot water units recovered.
🔹 Wellard (May) 9-month prison term for burglary.
🔹 Coodanup (Jul) 10-month prison term for burglary.
🔹 Clarkson (Aug) 6-month prison term for two burglaries.
Many of these offenders are career criminals, targeting not only construction sites but also involved in drug-related and other criminal activity. These results demonstrate that PACT’s collaborative approach with WA Police is working, turning reports into arrests, convictions, and reductions in crime, protecting our member sites, the broader construction industry, and the wider community
Across the industry, headlines may celebrate a welcome trend: crime on construction sites has fallen sharply. And while lower disruption and fewer losses would be a win if those figures reflected reality, the raw numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Relying on them as proof of success risks masking ongoing problems the industry cannot afford to ignore.
Reporting is the lifeblood of targeted policing. Every missing lintel, piece of copper cable, or hot water system that’s reported stolen becomes a data point investigators can use to identify patterns, pinpoint hotspots, and trace offenders. When reports fall, so does the system’s ability to map crime and allocate resources. A dip in the spreadsheet is not the same as a dip in offending — it can simply be a dip in visibility.
The wrong signals are being celebrated. PACT members and WA Police confirm prosecutions continue. Convictions show crime is still being committed, offenders are being caught, and the justice system is acting. Yet the drop in industry reporting suggests many incidents are never captured in the data that Police, and PACT, rely on to prevent repeat offending.
Deterrence works. Signage, GPS tracking, and targeted enforcement make a difference. But it is fragile. When reporting falls, so does the evidence trail that allows police to prove patterns and secure convictions. Prosecutions are a positive outcome, but also a warning: offenders remain active, and effective enforcement depends on robust, consistent reporting.
Celebrating lower numbers without context is risky. Reduced reporting means fewer leads, fewer arrests, less recovered property, and limited ability to direct Police and PACT resources toward high-theft areas or repeat offenders.
The solution is clear:
Keep reporting every incident, no matter how small.
Share information quickly so trends can be identified early.
Highlight outcomes; each conviction proves reporting works.
Expand participation; more PACT members contributing data means stronger results for everyone.
If you wish to discuss how you can join PACT to reduce crime within your business and industry please go HERE