November 2020 Building and Construction Industry Statistics
November has seen an expected increased number of crime reports with a total of 39 reported incidents of burglary, stealing and damage within the building and construction industry. With November traditionally a high crime month (53 reports 2019) this represents 26% decrease from the same time last year, a 115% increase from the previous four months and a 5% increase on the 2020 monthly average.
Offences included eight burglaries, one attempted burglary, twenty seven stealing and three damage—an additional thirteen illegal rubbish dumping incidents were recorded from residential builders and land developers. Five reports from civil contracting, one from land developers, five reports from the south-west of the state with the remainder metro residential builders.
Four burglaries were committed on two separate building sites in the Golden Vines Private Estate, Dayton. Offenders targeted ovens, hotplates, range hoods, kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Burglaries also occurred on building sites in Morley where a boxed oven, hotplate, rangehood and hot water system were stolen. A site site in Armadale had a boxed hot water system, hotplate and sink stolen whilst in Treeby offenders forced there way into a site office and stole two way radios.
With Police forensic examinations arranged by PACT investigator on all reported burglaries, two male juveniles have been charged with burglary on a BGC Housing Group site in Wellard, the offenders damaged carpets and blinds after breaking into the site in July 2020.
Scrap metal dealers are currently paying up to $8.50 per kilo for scrap copper after a 13% increase in the spot price of copper in November. As a result, we have seen a significant increase reported theft of copper compared to previous months. In Brabham, civil contracting sites were targeted with offenders dragged 150 metres of newly laid mains cable from the ground, also cutting copper cabling from recently installed transformers and stealing copper fittings. Building sites in Bennett Springs, Lynwood, Treeby and Baldivis also had electrical wires and mains cable stolen.
On December 1st 2020, new Scrap Metal Industry regulation of the came into effect. Any business involved in the sale or purchase of copper or copper alloy (including brass and bronze) will require a licence and to comply with the Pawnbroker and Second-hand Dealer Act 1994 and the Pawnbroker and Second-hand Dealer Regulations 1996.
Although a welcome change to the regulation of the Scrap Metal industry, the regulation has fallen short in failing to address the theft of other ferrous and non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium. From a construction industry viewpoint, this could see an increase in the theft of aluminium window frames as the scrap price of aluminium has also increased. More information on the scrap metal reform can be seen HERE.
With unprecedented building activity across the residential building, land development and civil construction sectors, crime is and will continue to rise. PACT investigators continue to work closely with WA Police to reduce, prevent, disrupt and identify those involved in building and construction industry crime.
PACT Site Security works with the building and construction industry to provide efficient and effective reporting systems to identify crime trends. The accurate reporting of all crime will activate resources to reduce theft risk, track and recover property, as well as deter future incidents. Police liaison, GPS Tracking, CCTV, security patrols and community engagement are just some of the tactics assisting in the reduction of crime and illegal rubbish dumping within the industry.
Builders, land developers and civil contractors can contact 1800 272 836 for more information.