Staying Safe and Preventing Crime

Home security 

There are many simple changes you can make to reduce the risk of crime affecting your property.

Take action to make it harder for an intruder to enter your home.

  • Make sure doors and windows are locked at all times
  • Install an alarm system and/or security lights
  • Make your home always look occupied
  • Avoid hiding a set of house keys outside of your home
  • Trim overgrown plants where intruders could hide
  • Engrave and photograph your valuables

For more tips visit the WA Police website

Car security 

Just like your home, there are ways to protect and secure your vehicle and lower the risk of car theft and break-ins.

  • Remove all valuables from your car
  • When you leave your car, remove the ignition key and lock the doors
  • Keep your car keys in a safe place out of sight and away from windows and doors where they could easily be taken
  • Consider purchasing a car alarm (check with your insurance company as it could reduce your premium)
  • If you have a garage, use it
  • If you do not have a garage, try to park in a well-lit, open space
  • Ensure windows are shut, including the sunroof

For more tips visit the WA Police website.

Safety for young people 

Educating young people on the various issues that can affect them can empower them to make more informed decisions.

Common issues teenagers face may revolve around alcohol and illicit drugs, cyber safety and school leaver celebrations.  

Knowing the consequences of their actions or how to stay safe in certain situations will help them make better decisions regarding their safety and behaviours.

For more information visit the WA Police website.

Safety for seniors

It's important that all seniors are and feel safe in our community. The following home safety tips can help keep you safe.

  • Get to know your neighbours - Good neighbours help to create happier, healthier and safer communities
  • Install deadlocks on doors and windows
  • Carry a personal alarm if you feel unsafe
  • Listen to your instincts, if something doesn't feel right then it probably isn't

Cyber safety

Stay informed on how to stay safe when using computers and the internet. Here are some tips to help make your online experience safe and enjoyable.

Keeping children safe - Tips for parents 
  • Choose a non-identifiable, non-gender specific username
  • Never send a picture of yourself to someone you don’t know, and never place a full profile and picture of yourself anywhere on the internet
  • Never give out any personal information whilst using IM or other networking programs including your real name, telephone or mobile phone number, mailing address, passwords or banking details
  • Never accept a friend, file or download from a person you don’t know, this includes links to a website
  • Know how to save copies of your child’s IM conversations
  • Be careful – people you meet online may not be who they say they are
  • Never give out personal information when you’re chatting online
  • Take a parent with you if you want to meet someone face to face that you’ve only spoken to online
  • Treat strangers on the internet the same as you would treat strangers in real life

For more visit the ThinkUKnow website.

Keeping seniors safe 
  • Having a credit card that you use only for internet transactions will reduce the risk of losing large sums of money if your card number is compromised by hackers. Have a low limit on it and check your statements regularly
  • Only give your credit card details to individuals or companies that you know and trust
  • Print out and keep a record of all transactions and receipts for online purchases
  • Logging off after all transactions will make it more difficult for hackers to access your details
  • Be sparing in providing personal details over the internet
  • Firewall and anti-virus software will protect your computer

Cycling Safely and Bikelinc

 Cyclists:

  • Cyclists can ride two abreast ride on the road, with up to 1.5m between riders.
  • It is illegal to ride less than 2m behind a vehicle.
  • Cyclists cannot pass on the left of a vehicle that is turning left.
  • Cyclists are not permitted to ride their bikes on freeways or in pedestrian malls.
  • Cyclists can use the left lane of a roundabout when turning right, but must give way to vehicles exiting a roundabout.
Sharing footpaths:
  • Cyclists of all ages may ride on footpaths in WA, unless otherwise signed.
  • Cyclists must ride in single file on footpaths.
  • Pedestrians, including mobility scooters and motorised wheelchair users, always have right of way.
  • Cyclists should use their bell to alert other shared path users that a bicycle is approaching.
  • Cyclists should use their bell to alert pedestrians/mobility scooter operators/motorised wheelchair users that a bicycle is approaching.
  • Drivers must give way to cyclists at driveways, but cyclists should slow down to ensure they have been seen.
  • Animals must not be tied to a moving bike.
  • Animals and children on footpaths can be unpredictable. Cyclists should slow and cycle to the conditions.
Motorists:
  • Motorists are required to keep a safe distance when overtaking cyclists.
  • When the speed limit is 60km/h or under, motorists must leave a gap of at least 1m when passing a bicycle rider.
  • When the speed limit is over 60km/h, the gap must be at least 1.5m.
  • The safe passing distance law allows drivers to cross centre line markings, including single and double continuous white lines and painted islands, to give the correct amount of space to the cyclist, but only when it is safe to do so, and when the driver has a clear view of oncoming traffic.
  • If it is not possible to safely overtake, slow down and wait until it is safe to overtake.
  • Motorists should check blind spots for riders before moving left or right on the carriageway.
  • Motorists are only permitted to drive in a marked bicycle lane for 50m to stop or park in a designated parking area.
  • Public bus and taxi drivers may also drive in a bicycle lane for up to 50m, if the driver is dropping off or picking up passengers.

For more information visit the Road Safety Commission website

Cycling etiquette

To find out more about cycling etiquette and cycling during COVID-19, visit WestCycle website

Download Cycling Information sheet

Download Cyclist FAQ's

Bikelinc

Join Crime Stoppers WA’s free Bikelinc network so the WA Police Force and your community can help return your bike to you if it’s lost or stolen.

Register your bike with Bikelinc 

Why use Bikelinc?

  • want to protect your bike/s
  • want the WA Police Force to get your bike back to you quickly & easily if lost or stolen
  • want to see a reduction in bike theft and bike thieves apprehended
  • want to join a community of cycling enthusiasts
  • enjoy bike riding as a form of commuting, recreation or sport
  • want to check if a bike for sale is listed as safe, lost or stolen
  • want to ensure people in the community aren’t buying stolen bikes unknowingly
  • like to support WA initiatives and not-for-profit community organisations and charities such as Crime Stoppers WA
Bikelinc_Tile_Facebook_1200x628.png