news
Perth's 800+ Cameras Prompt Police to Boost Public Reporting Coordination
City of Perth steps up coordination with police and rangers to maintain 24-hour coverage while urging residents to use the right contact channels.
How we reported this
Perth CBD now operates more than 800 cameras under continuous monitoring by professional operators and WA Police, a system the City of Perth has tied directly to its daily safety operations across the central area.
The expanded coverage comes at a time when foot traffic in the CBD remains high and businesses seek clearer guidance on how incidents are handled after hours. The City of Perth frames the network as part of a broader partnership that includes rangers, cleaners and mobile parking patrols working alongside the surveillance centre.
Clearer pathways for reporting
City of Perth materials released this week list specific responsibilities for Safe City Rangers versus WA Police, aiming to reduce misdirected calls. Rangers handle abandoned vehicles, animal control, littering, busking issues and permit checks seven days a week, while police retain responsibility for assaults, burglary, drug use and weapons matters. The distinction appears in a downloadable poster the City encourages building managers and businesses to display in common areas.
Residents and workers are directed to call 000 for life-threatening situations, 131 444 for general police assistance and the City Watch line on 9461 3333 for matters falling under ranger duties. The same document lists separate numbers for graffiti reports, Western Power faults and ATCO Gas emergencies, all intended to route queries to the correct agency without delay.
Next steps for businesses and residents
City of Perth officers expect the immediate priority to be wider distribution of the contact poster and continued promotion of the See It, Say It campaign. The campaign asks people to report suspicious activity through the listed channels so operators can direct resources quickly. Decisions ahead include how often the surveillance centre reviews footage with police and whether additional ranger shifts will be scheduled during peak evening periods in the CBD.
Business owners can already request CCTV enquiries through the City on 9461 6611. The City of Perth website states that rangers do not replace police and that serious incidents must still go through WA Police first. The practical next step for most CBD stakeholders is printing the poster and testing the listed numbers before an incident occurs.