Perth Voice Interactive

INSTALLING more streetlights and better connecting rail, bike and pedestrian ways have been suggested as part of Bayswater council’s plan to improve safety.

More than 160 locals identified their biggest safety concerns — theft, public illicit drug dealing or use, and drunken and disorderly behaviour — and offered suggestions for improvement. It comes as the council moves to make the city safer by creating a “community safety and crime prevention plan”.

It last month published survey results finding residents also want more affordable community events and youth activities, as well as more police patrols to feel safer.

Data also found 42 per cent of respondents believe criminal activity and anti-social behaviour have become more of an issue “over time”.

“Factors having the most positive impact on respondents’ feelings of safety are good maintenance of public areas … availability of patrols of the city’s security services and murals or other public art,” a council report states.

Mayor Barry McKenna says the survey was routine. “This is one of these surveys that we put out to improve general liveability.”. He is unsure when the plan will be discussed at a council meeting.

About 70 per cent of respondents were female, 30 were male, and the biggest grouping was aged 34-44 (32 per cent).

Participants were a mix of residents (81 per cent), business owners (5 per cent), students (4 per cent) and visitors (3 per cent).

by EMMIE DOWLING