❓ Mr. Katsambanis questions the Minister for Police regarding a delayed police response to a violent incident in Cockburn Gateway Shopping City. The Minister acknowledges the concern and is seeking information from WA Police regarding the response time.
AnsweredQoN 223Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE — COCKBURN
GATEWAY INCIDENT
223. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Minister for Police:
Before I ask my question, on behalf
of the member for South Perth, I would like to welcome the year 6 students from
Wesley College, who are in the gallery today.
I refer to the violent rampage that
occurred on Monday afternoon in the Cockburn Gateway Shopping City precinct
involving a gang of youths, which resulted in at least eight serious assaults
and left vulnerable people terrorised.
(1) Has the
minister met with police to seek an explanation of why it took more than 30
minutes for police to respond to an incident that occurred fewer than 500
metres from the Cockburn Central Police Station?
(2) What is the reason for the delay
in the police response?
GATEWAY INCIDENT
223. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Minister for Police:
Before I ask my question, on behalf
of the member for South Perth, I would like to welcome the year 6 students from
Wesley College, who are in the gallery today.
I refer to the violent rampage that
occurred on Monday afternoon in the Cockburn Gateway Shopping City precinct
involving a gang of youths, which resulted in at least eight serious assaults
and left vulnerable people terrorised.
(1) Has the
minister met with police to seek an explanation of why it took more than 30
minutes for police to respond to an incident that occurred fewer than 500
metres from the Cockburn Central Police Station?
(2) What is the reason for the delay
in the police response?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Hillarys for
the question.
(1)–(2) I
received a briefing note on that incident yesterday morning and was advised of
that rampage by a large group of youths. It
is certainly a very concerning matter. I understand that police arrested—from
memory —seven or eight people, and I was advised by police
yesterday that they have charged two people. I believe those initial charges
were for theft or similar offences of that nature. They are also reviewing
video footage, CCTV cameras and the like, so the possibility exists that other
charges will be laid by police. It is possible that some charges may have been
laid in the last few hours; I do not have an update from this morning. Police
take this matter very, very seriously. It has further been brought to my
attention that a number of retailers and shop owners in that area claim that
police took up to 35 minutes to arrive. If that is the case, I would be highly
concerned about that. My staff have sought information from WA Police about
whether that is a fact, because if that is a fact, that would be concerning. As
we speak, information is being sought from the local Cockburn police officers
to get an update and some advice about how long it took them to arrive on
scene. I note that Cockburn is a very large and well-resourced police station.
I would find it unlikely that police would take so long to attend what appears
to be a serious event. I am, however, reassured by the actions of police
officers in taking this matter very seriously in mobilising significant
resources as the event evolved and arresting at least seven persons, already
charging two of those young people.
the question.
(1)–(2) I
received a briefing note on that incident yesterday morning and was advised of
that rampage by a large group of youths. It
is certainly a very concerning matter. I understand that police arrested—from
memory —seven or eight people, and I was advised by police
yesterday that they have charged two people. I believe those initial charges
were for theft or similar offences of that nature. They are also reviewing
video footage, CCTV cameras and the like, so the possibility exists that other
charges will be laid by police. It is possible that some charges may have been
laid in the last few hours; I do not have an update from this morning. Police
take this matter very, very seriously. It has further been brought to my
attention that a number of retailers and shop owners in that area claim that
police took up to 35 minutes to arrive. If that is the case, I would be highly
concerned about that. My staff have sought information from WA Police about
whether that is a fact, because if that is a fact, that would be concerning. As
we speak, information is being sought from the local Cockburn police officers
to get an update and some advice about how long it took them to arrive on
scene. I note that Cockburn is a very large and well-resourced police station.
I would find it unlikely that police would take so long to attend what appears
to be a serious event. I am, however, reassured by the actions of police
officers in taking this matter very seriously in mobilising significant
resources as the event evolved and arresting at least seven persons, already
charging two of those young people.
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