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Two schools located near a homeless camp in Perth’s have raised safety concerns after a student was allegedly attacked by a woman known to stay at the abandoned warehouse.
Police have stepped up patrols and there is extra security at the camp occupying several buildings on the intersection of Forrest Road and Rockingham Road in Hamilton Hill, which is close to Fremantle Christian College and Kerry Street Community School.
Fremantle Christian College chair Daniel Hollett released a statement this week saying a year 7 student was assaulted by a woman at the bus stop on Rockingham Road near the college.
“The student was brought back to the College in distress and received immediate pastoral care,” the statement read.
“WA Police attended promptly, took statements, and the matter is now under active investigation.
“The student and her family have our full support.”
Hollett said the woman who allegedly assaulted the student was known to visit and stay in the abandoned buildings, about 150 metres from the college.
“The difficulties posed by the individuals who live at that site and their anti-social behaviour has been an ongoing challenge for our community and the surrounding community,” he said in the statement.
“Since the incident we have been liaising with the City of Cockburn, WA Police, The Hon. Simone McGurk and Main Roads WA to seek lasting resolution of the abandoned buildings.
Hollett acknowledged that living in an abandoned warehouse is not an acceptable solution for homelessness.
“We recognise the individuals living in such places are often vulnerable people, but our highest priority is the duty of care for our students,” he said.
KSCS principal Taylah Griffin said her school had also raised ongoing concerns with relevant agencies over community safety issues at the site.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students, families and staff remains our highest priority,” she said.
“We acknowledge that homelessness and vulnerability are complex community issues requiring compassion, support and coordinated responses across agencies.
“We also recognise that the people living within these circumstances are often vulnerable themselves.
“However, children and families also deserve to feel safe travelling to and from school.”
Local parent Travis Kindgon said people going to and from the school had been threatened, and in a recent case assaulted.
“It is just a really unsafe place,” he said.
Another local, Dori Bond, told 9News Perth there should be a level of accountability for the owners of the abandoned warehouse.
“If you as a government are managing this space, some accountability falls on the management for this space,” he said.
In a statement, a Main Roads spokesperson said it was aware of antisocial behaviour from trespassers at the site and was taking the school and community’s concerns seriously.
“In response to these concerns, Main Roads held an onsite meeting this morning with Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk, WA Police, and the Fremantle Christian College Deputy Principal,” the statement read.
“CCTV has been set up to capture movements of anyone trying to breach the fencing to access the site. Local police are patrolling the area and will arrest and prosecute any trespassers.
“Main Roads is working with the City of Cockburn and WA Police to secure the site and demolish dilapidated buildings as quickly as possible.”
Another local parent, Owen McCarthy, told 9News Perth action should have been taken sooner.
“Unfortunately, it took an incident like this to raise awareness that maybe there is an issue that needs to be addressed,” he said.
City of Cockburn development and safety group manager Lorenzo Santoriello said the site, which includes abandoned buildings comprising former shire offices and community spaces, is owned and managed by Main Roads WA, with enforcement matters handled by WA Police.
“The City of Cockburn shares the community’s concerns and frustrations around safety at the Forrest Road site and has long advocated with Main Roads WA to ensure the area is properly managed,” he said.
“The City does not control the site or enforcement around anti-social behaviour in the area but is continuing to work constructively with MRWA and WA Police.
“An example of this is a goodwill agreement to deploy a City-owned mobile CCTV trailer to the area as an extra layer of security to assist MRWA and WA Police as they work to make this area safer for our community.
“The City continues to be in contact with schools in the area to listen to their concerns and help them understand the City’s role. We will continue to communicate any necessary updates.”
Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said she understood investigations were under way.
“I was concerned to hear about reports of an assault. I understand investigations are underway. The safety of our community is of utmost concern of mine,” she said.
“Police will increase their patrols and surveillance of the site and Main Roads will install security and repair the fencing to make it secure before demolition works are underway in the coming months.”
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