Katanning’s crime crackdown: The inside story of ‘Operation Glimfeather’

Drawing on “comprehensive” intelligence reports to put pressure on known criminals, Katanning police say they have driven crime down in the winter months. Operation Glimfeather will run until the end of this month, but it has already seen local officers conduct more than 300 targeted patrols, execute six search warrants and take 21 alleged offenders to court. High-visibility vehicle and foot patrols in retail areas and known crime hotspots were a key focus for Katanning police in their bid to reduce burglaries, thefts and property damage. A community-led risk reduction drive has been coupled with increased engagement with known offenders. “We give a lot of thanks to our Great Southern intelligence unit based down in Albany, they helped us a lot the operation in identifying who our prolific offenders are,” Sen. Const. Aydan Tonkin said. “(They are) presenting us with information of when and where crimes happen so we can focus our patrols on the right places at the right time. “On top of that we were engaging with these persons as well, not necessarily when they’ve committed offences ... helps to build our intelligence but also build rapport between us and them and at-risk families to try and prevent them from offending as well.” Intensive bail monitoring, helping retail businesses issue banning or trespass notices and covert patrolling strategies have played their part in reducing the town’s key offence categories, according to Sen. Const. Tonkin. While he had noticed an increase in burglaries on rural properties in the region, there had not been a reported burglary in the Katanning townsite in the past month. Only two shoplifting offences had been recorded in town since June. Before then, it was “common” for local retailers to suffer anywhere from three to 10 thefts a week. Local businesses and property owners have also played a role in making the region tougher for crooks. Sen. Const. Tonkin said burglaries in the Katanning sub-district dropped 61.9 per cent since the start of this financial year compared to the same period in 2019-20, while stealing offences decreased 77 per cent. He said helping to educate the community on opportunistic crime — such as thefts from unlocked vehicles and homes — was playing a huge role in lowering Katanning’s crime rate. “Our offenders often take up these opportunities when they’re in front of them,” he said. “I often explain this message by saying, ‘You wouldn’t leave $200 cash in your trolley, or on your front lawn, so why leave a handbag in your trolley or a bicycle on a front lawn?”