More detectives to curb drug crime

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has dashed hopes of a 24-hour police station in Busselton, reiterating it was not feasible given low crime rates in the region.

But the Commissioner said Busselton would receive four additional detectives by 2017 to help curb the growing drug problem.

Mr O'Callaghan said the use of drugs in the community had resulted in an increase in petty crime.

"We've looked at this closely and we don't believe there is a demand for a police station to be open 24 hours," he said.

"For us to run the police station 24 hours-a-day it would take an additional three police (officers) each day.

"We have decided to allocate four extra detectives to target drug use and drug sales."

The Commissioner said there was a need for drug prevention and awareness across the region in the form of counselling, education, health and rehabilitation.

Mr O'Callaghan and Vasse MLA Libby Mettam met with 15 Busselton stakeholders on Wednesday in a community forum to discuss crime, methamphetamine use and police response times. Ms Mettam presented a petition to State Parliament earlier this year with 934 signatures, requesting additional police resources in Busselton.

She said the increase in police resources was a great outcome for the community.

"The Commissioner explained that a better use of resources and outcomes in the community would be through targeting the causes of the crime and repeat serial offenders, through the provision of additional detectives," she said.

"Ultimately I wanted the best outcome, not a specific outcome, and the Commissioner believes the police will get a better result through the addition of four detectives than a 24-hour police station.

"By having more detectives we'll have a greater presence out on the streets."