Pedal patrols back as Northbridge crime drops

• Marked reduction in key crime areas in Northbridge

• Dedicated WA Police Bicycle Patrol Group formed for Northbridge and CBD 

The State Government today announced Western Australian police officers will reintroduce dedicated pushbike patrols to the CBD and Northbridge to help continue drive down crime.

Premier Colin Barnett said there had been a significant reduction in key crime areas in Northbridge since 2008 and declared the hospitability and entertainment precinct was once again a desired destination for West Australians.

"People and families are coming to Northbridge in droves thanks to the State Government's investment in policing, activating public space and encouraging a fantastic range of restaurants and bars to open up in the area," Mr Barnett said. 

"Events like the Fringe World Festival had brought Northbridge to life."

Deputy Premier and Police Minister Liza Harvey said this change in culture would now be built on with a dedicated Bicycle Patrol Group.

Mrs Harvey said the Bicycle Patrol Group could bypass traffic issues to respond quicker, easily access areas where vehicles could not go, would be highly visible helping deter crime and would help promote greater community engagement.

"Not only are local police keen to conduct bike patrols, this has been something which has consistently been raised at our community forums and by local businesses as something they'd like to see," she said.

Mrs Harvey said the bike patrols would help continue to reduce crime in Northbridge.

Between 2008 and 2015, Northbridge crime dropped for:

• assaults - down 36 per cent
• threatening behaviour - down 73 per cent
• home burglary - down 44 per cent
• theft - down 25 per cent
• property damage - down 48 per cent. 

"These figures are particularly encouraging considering the substantial population growth we have had since 2008," Mrs Harvey said.

"We won't ever stop trying to further reduce crime in the area, we built the $93 million Perth Police Centre based in Northbridge and now these bike patrols will enhance police engagement with the local community."

Fact File

• Bike patrols will start by the end of April 2016

• The state-of-the-art $93m Perth Police Centre was opened in Northbridge in July 2013 

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Deputy Premier and Police Minister's office - 6552 5900