THE City of Swan has joined forces with WA Police by sharing its extensive CCTV network to help detect and prevent crime as part of its ‘Safer in Swan’ initiative.

Last year a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the City of Swan and WA Police (WAPOL) formalised sharing of CCTV capabilities, strengthening collaboration and reinforcing a shared commitment to community safety.

Over the last twelve months, WAPOL have used the city’s CCTV to assist with a range of local community safety matters, including responses and investigations involving anti-social behaviour, vehicle theft, burglary and incidents involving missing persons and those at risk.

Of the 950 CCTV cameras, approximately 850 are public facing, providing the city with exceptional coverage.

When an incident occurs, WA Police can access the city’s CCTV via a secure link that provides live vision to the State Operations Command Centre and authorised officers on desktop and mobile devices.

This enables real-time situational awareness while ensuring all footage is shared securely, safely and lawfully.

Police do not record the shared CCTV vision.

City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said the CCTV network could also have uses beyond detection and crime prevention.

“For example, the city’s CCTV could be used to monitor local impacts from severe weather events or help search for people lost or in distress,” she said.

“Access to real-time CCTV coverage in these circumstances would also make an important contribution to public safety.

“Any CCTV footage shared is shared securely, safely and lawfully.”

Under the agreement, WA Police may use the CCTV to take an image in relation to a law enforcement of community safety; for the purpose of further police investigation, or for the purpose of intelligence-gathering, including internal distribution within WA Police.

Operational use of the system continues to grow.

In the past six months, WA Police accessed live CCTV streams on 3921 occasions.

Between June 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026, the city fulfilled 233 requests for CCTV footage to support policing outcomes.

‘Safer in Swan’ remains a key city initiative, delivering practical services, strengthening partnerships and supporting programs that prevent crime, prepare for emergencies and promote community wellbeing.

More information about the initiative is available online.