Geraldton police issue warning on building site thefts

Geraldton’s top cop is warning builders to secure sites, or take their belongings with them, after an increase in burglaries targeting construction sites.

Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said police had seen a steady increase in reported thefts from building sites over the past three months, with power tools and equipment stolen.

“The numbers are still fairly low, about one or two a week, but before then (we) didn’t get any,” he said.

“In some instances, thousands of dollars in tools have been taken.

“But we’ve also seen larger stuff like cement mixers go.”

He said most reports were coming from Sunset Beach and Wandina, which he suspected was because these suburbs were “hot spots” for construction.

“We’re going through a period in Geraldton where homes are starting to develop again. I suspect some opportunistic thieves have thought they can make some easy money off this,” he said.

“Please do not leave your tools inside thinking they’re going to be secure. Let’s work together to combat this.”