Serjoa: More than 30 people arrested over burglaries as Geraldton sees crime spike following cyclone

As most Geraldton residents were focused on trying to save their homes, and their lives, during the ferocious cyclone and its aftermath dozens of low lives were on a crime spree. More than 30 people have been arrested this week, but the district’s top cop says there has not been any looting. Mid West Gascoyne Police Supt Roger Beer said there had been “significantly more” burglaries in Geraldton between Sunday night and yesterday morning — 32 compared with 17 in the same period last week — most of which took place on commercial premises. He said more than 30 people had been arrested in relation with most of them juveniles. “These are difficult times with no power, no connectivity, and unfortunately that has created some vulnerabilities in terms of crime ... we anticipated this may occur,” he said. “Unequivocally, there is no widespread looting in Kalbarri and Northampton, as has been reported in some circles. In Northampton there has sadly been one report of a generator stolen. We’re putting in a lot of effort to track down perpetrators.”