Sergeant Stuart Mearns was invited to address the committee in regards to the recent spate of graffiti and vandalism around town. His address was as follows:

Despite the recent spate of graffiti, reported incidents are down by 53 % from last year. The main damage is done on the main street on street signs and lights etc. This recent graffiti on private property (cars) and at the Rotary Park has seen 2 people arrested for the crime and another suspect for some of the other graffiti.

In response to the graffiti, the Police are meeting with the Shire to formulate a local Strategy Plan, which can be put out to businesses, which should help with the reporting and the clean up of the graffiti.

There is also a graffiti hotline which is 1800 44 22 55 which is available 24 hours a day.

You can also report graffiti by logging onto www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au. Sergeant Mearns encouraged the locals to report any graffiti as soon as possible so that prompt reporting would then ensure prompt response. A Graffiti Report form can be downloaded from the police website and then faxed back to the Margaret River Station to initiate the process. He even suggested that if you are in a position to photograph the graffiti yourself and clean it up, then do so, and email the police with all the details.

Sergeant Mearns assured the committee that prevention would be discussed at the meeting with the Shire and best business practices such as not selling spray cans to children etc. He is also happy to keep us posted with updates that we can then pass onto the business community via email.

Margaret River Police Station: (08)97572222

Online Graffiti Reporting Form