Spearwood residents fear for safety as axes and knives thrown at Dubove Park trees, metres from playground

Families in Perth’s south are fearing for the safety of their children with axes and knives being thrown at targets carved into trees, just metres from a playground where used syringes have also been found lying on the grass.

People living opposite Dubove Park in Spearwood told PerthNow “there’s no visible end in sight” to the antisocial behaviour in their once safe and welcoming neighbourhood.

“Good honest hard-working people live in this community; they don’t deserve to have to tidy up axes, knives, shopping trolleys, rubbish and alcohol containers,” a long-term resident who asked to remain anonymous said.

“People are often observed clearly impaired, drinking, acting aggressively and throwing axes and knives in the park at trees.

“I went to use the playground with my children only to find a person who was very out of it on the park bench next to the playground after injecting with a syringe in the middle of the day. The syringe was on the ground below them.

“Finding used syringes uncapped in the park is a common occurrence.

“I’m deeply concerned that it’s only a matter of time before a child will step on one.”

The City of Cockburn told PerthNow it would deploy a mobile CCTV trailer at Dubove Park to catch the axe thrower in action.

“We have received public reports, including photographs showing damage to trees,” mayor Logan Howlett said.

“Damaging city trees breaches the city’s local laws.

“Based on the photographs received, the incident may also amount to criminal damage under the Criminal Code.”

Police confirmed two reports of people throwing items at a park on Dubove Road were made in January, but the offender was gone when officers arrived.

The Spearwood local told PerthNow there had been more incidents, but continuing to file reports to either the council or police was frustrating as there was no action taken.

“It’s extremely disheartening and leaves me feeling helpless, especially when previous reports have gone unaddressed,” they said.

“Basically, it goes around in circles ... each team saying the other is responsible for looking after it.”

They said Dubove Park was a “safe and “welcoming” place before a social housing complex was built nearby.

“Elderly residents who regularly gathered at the park in the evenings have since stopped due to safety concerns,” they said.

“It used to have a family and united community feel, but this has been taken away. Many residents are afraid ... there’s no visible end in sight.”