Mandurah security boosted by new patrols

From February 26 Mandurah residents will notice a new fleet of security cars and guards patrolling the streets in a bid to put people's minds at ease.

CES Australia's Security Agent Joel Marks said the new force would work along side Mandurah Police reporting suspicious behaviour directly to them.

"The purpose of a dedicated residential security patrol is to give people peace of mind, to help people feel safe," he said.

"They are highly visible and are focused on protecting and exercising the property rights of home owners and residential tenants.

"They respond to house alarms, reports of trespassers, burglary, anti-social behaviour impacting private property, provide first aid assistance and undertake preventative patrols and report suspicious behaviour to Police."

Each patrol vehicle will be fitted out with a HD CCTV camera and two fully licensed and train security officers.

The officers will wear body cameras and have access to offender marking spray, an extendable baton and handcuffs.

Vehicles are also equipped with a computer which allows Security Officers to extract and disseminate footage to Police either immediately on-scene, or after an incident.

Agent Marks said people should remember the new patrols and guards are not a replacement for Police but noted Mandurah Police is extremely busy.

"The service we provide seeks to plug the gap in response at the lower end of the crime spectrum, our officers quickly and efficiently responding to reports that would normally attract a lower priority for a Police response, therefore a longer response time," he said.

“Working with Police we can provide them with intelligence about offending in a certain area – or if we come across someone committing a crime on a property that has subscribed to the service we can arrest them and detain them until Police arrive.”

Security Officers can perform a citizens arrest if they have reasonable suspicion that an ‘arrestable offence’ has occurred.

An arrestable offence is any offence punishable by a term of imprisonment.

Security Officers can also use force that is reasonably necessary to prevent an act of violence or an offence occurring, to remove a trespasser or to defend property.

Mr Marks said while officers have the authority to act on calls they don't have all the same power as Police.

“This service targets those residential properties that are subscribed to this service," he said.

"We certainly won’t be out in public areas attempting to enforce our own brand of the law, and whilst we will always strive to help someone who is in need it is important to remember that this is a fee-based service”.

This service is subscriber based, in order for a person to access it they must pay a fee of $33 per month or $382 per year.