Police praise outcome of Withers Action Plan

A focus on the former disreputable suburb of Withers has resulted in crime trending downwards, according to Bunbury police.

Speaking to residents at a community meeting to wrap up a multi-million-dollar plan to transform the suburb last week, Bunbury police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Mal Jones said the suburb was “comparatively doing well” compared to other areas.

Sen. Sgt Jones said reported crime in Withers was down about six per cent during the 2015-16 year which equated to about one and a half offences now being reported per day.

He said there had been decreases in assaults, robberies and damages and the results were a “good reflection on the community”.

The comments were made during a community information session to celebrate a five-year project from the Withers Advisory Committee, which is expected to come to an end tonight.

The Bunbury City Council will vote on whether to disband the committee after it all but exhausted the more than $1.2 million it had to spend on projects under the Withers Action Plan.

At the community meeting on Friday, council staff, councillors, Sen. Sgt Jones and the South West Development Commission all praised the work that had been done under the plan.

Sen. Sgt Jones said the installation of closed-circuit TV cameras was one initiative under the plan which helped bring crime down.

The closure of several laneways and upgrades to parks have also been credited in transforming Withers.

The council, SWDC and Housing Authority are working on a Local Area Plan which will take over from the action plan.