New SW District police Superintendent

To be active, involved and interested in policing in the South West — that is the aim of new police district Superintendent Peter Hatch.

With 27 years of policing under his belt, Supt Hatch has experience in general duties, police prosecuting and as an Inspector to bring to his new role.

Supt Hatch said he made no apologies for targeting prolific offenders in an effort to reduce crimes of stolen motor vehicles and burglaries.

“Offenders are a lot more mobile and we have to use our resources better now,” he said.

“We need to use resources as a district as opposed to a sub-district.

“I’ve got all the resources in those districts and I intend to bring them together to focus them where they’re needed greatly, with greater intelligence and info from community to get evidence needed to lock offenders up.”

Supt Hatch said good work had been done in the South West before his arrival and he wanted to continue that.

Operation Shark Fin had already made 13 arrests and laid 32 charges in relation to vehicle theft, theft from vehicles and burglary.

“I really want to build on those kinds of operations,” Supt Hatch said.

Supt Hatch was a Sen. Const. at Bunbury between 1995 and 1997 and he said there had been a big growth in population and infrastructure.

“I’m in a completely different role, but looking forward to the challenges that it presents with the growth,” he said.