Cops, City make it tougher for crooks

Local police and the City of Rockingham have joined forces to make life tougher for crooks over the busy summer holiday period.

With crime traditionally increasing during the warmer months, the City and three police stations serving Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah have banded together for the Making it Tougher on Crooks — Community Safety Starts With You campaign.

With the WA Police Community Engagement Division also playing a key role, Mayor Barry Sammels has urged the community to be vigilant and report suspicious activity during the four-month crimefighting initiative, which will run until the end of March.

“The summer holiday period poses greater risks for homeowners and businesses, as well as for the safety of individuals, so it’s a time when we must all work together to make things tougher on crooks,” Mr Sammels said.

“The Australian Institute of Criminology has proved that campaigns involving police and local communities are effective in making life hard for criminals — but it is up to all of us to play a part.” Residents can make it harder for would-be criminals by locking their vehicles and homes and not by leaving valuables visible to people outside.

Other measures to help battle crime include keeping a look-out for neighbours and friends, being wary of anyone who may try to cause a distraction, and not leaving phones or bags unattended in public areas.

“If we all work together, look out for each other and link into our local police, we will be safer and crooks will find the going much tougher,” Mr Sammels said.

Residents in Rockingham can also get to know their neigh-bours better by joining the community safety organisation Neighbours Unite by phoning 9528 0333.