Intruder in prison minister's home
Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis triggered a personal duress alarm, sparking a major police operation, after an intruder broke into his home early yesterday and stole items including his parliamentary and Government security passes.
Mr Francis' personal security arrangements will be reviewed by WA Police's dignitary protection unit after the burglary of his Atwell home.
The intruder, whose image was captured by security cameras in Mr Francis' home, stole items including his wallet, credit cards and keys to his two vehicles - a Ford F250 truck and Holden WB utility.
It is believed Mr Francis may have disturbed the intruder, who scaled a rear fence about 1.10am to break into the house, causing him to flee.
Mr Francis woke up to use the bathroom and heard the gate to his swimming pool fence click, which caused his two alsatian dogs to bark.
He set off the personal duress alarm, provided by police, sparking a swift response.
Within minutes the police helicopter was over Mr Francis' home and a number of police cars attended the scene.
There was no confrontation between the intruder and Mr Francis.
"Obviously he is keen that this person is caught," a spokesman for the minister said. "He's treating it very seriously and a large part of that would be his concern for his partner, who was in the house with him. It would be extremely concerning for anyone."
The security footage shows a bearded intruder wearing a light-coloured hooded sweatshirt, a baseball cap worn backwards and carrying his shoes.
Mr Francis has extensive security cameras at the front of his home.
It is understood the incident will spark a review of Mr Francis' security arrangements by the dignitary protection unit.
As the man responsible for WA's prisons, Mr Francis is considered to have a higher security profile than other MPs.
No other burglaries were reported in the area about the time of the incident.
It is not known if Mr Francis' home was targeted by the intruder or if it was merely coincidental.
A police media spokeswoman said an investigation was underway.
"Hopefully we will get a response from the public to the image we've released," she said.
The minister's spokesman said Mr Francis was given a pair from Parliament (an approved absence) yesterday "to go and sort it all out."
