Abandoned building 'vandals' charged

Police have charged 21 people as a result of an operation targeting vandalism and burglary at the historic Swanbourne Hospital site.

The central metropolitan district crime team have charged the 21 people with 27 offences including trespass and possessing drugs, a prohibited weapon, graffiti items and house breaking implements and issued fourteen move-on notices since the operation began.

The operation sprung from information police received suggesting the old Mount Claremont hospital site, which is occupied by Montgomery Hall, was being targeted as a result of people using the internet to encourage others to seek out abandoned buildings.

Eighteen of the people charged are due to appear in the Perth Magistrate's Court at a later date, while three received juvenile cautions.