A SPATE of thefts from building sites throughout the South West has prompted Australind police into action.
An electronic sign was put on display in front of the Australind station last week alerting the public to report any suspicious activity.
Australind police officer-in-charge sergeant Brett Cassidy noted the area as one of development and said it was important to protect building sites.
“There has been a spate of building site thefts in the South West district and Australind has been no different,” he said.
“It is a South West issue, but with the new developments in Treendale and Kingston it is important to keep people notified,” he said.
“At the present time, we are asking people to report any suspicious activity.”
The callout follows a spike in thefts when sixteen hot water systems were stolen from Dalyellup, Millbridge and Australind over three days in June.
Master Builders South West regional manager Geoff Bosustow was not surprised to see the introduction of the sign and said the annual costs of site thefts run into the millions throughout the state.
“Theft creates additional costs and delays on residential and commercial construction across WA,” he said.
“There are obvious cost increases on construction through loss of building products and rectification work. But theft also delays building projects, which usually costs home owners additional interest or rental payments that quickly mount up.
“There is a lot of frustration among builders and the trades at the delays and costs associated with theft.”
Mr Bosustow said a Master Builders South West committee consisting of leading residential and commercial builders will meet with security specialists this week to look at what can be done to address construction site thefts.
z Sergeant Cassidy encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the station on 9797 0222 or hotline 131 444.