NORTHAM Police will hold a CCTV and Loss Prevention Seminar on Friday for local businesses at the Northam Recreation Centre.
The seminar, which will run from 5.30-8.30pm, will bring two police officers from Perth to talk about buying and using CCTV within a business to your best advantage, as well as talking about how business can be more resilient to theft.
Senior constable Steve Harrision will be the guest speaker for the CCTV segment, with Sergeant Graham White speaking about loss prevention.
The importance of keeping children in school will also be discussed from 7.45-8.15pm, with the night closing with a general discussion.
Community engagement specialist Megan Lehaney will be assisting with the evening and will help in fielding questions.
At the conclusion of the evening Shire of Northam chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker will be attending along with Shire community development officer Michelle Blackhurst.
In anticipation of the forum, Northam Police Acting Senior Sergeant Kevin Madden said it had been a busy past week for officers, with the upcoming forum being extremely relevant.
“It’s been busier than we would have liked,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Madden said there had been thefts from Sportspower, Coles and Warricks Newsagency along with assaults on police officers.
CCTV footage had been obtained from these premises.
Other thefts have also taken place in the West Northam region of town, with a recent break-in on Hampton Street.
Blood and tools were left at the scene and police are investigating and closing-in on an arrest.
Alarmingly, Senior Sergeant Madden said police officers had also been assaulted during their duties.
One officer was assaulted when a member of the public resisted arrest on Fitzgerald Street.
“Another incident saw an offender flicking saliva at an officer while being processed in the lock-up,” he said.
“The person had Hepatitis C and as a result the officer had had his blood taken and tested.”
The officer returned to work on Monday.
If you require police assistance or see suspicious behaviour please call 131 444 immediately.
If you have any information on a crime please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.