Motel Watch no room for crims

Elyse Rea, of Quest Apartments, promotes the Motel Watch project to reduce visitor crime.

Claudia Baxter

POLICE will join forces with accommodation providers in an effort to sniff out criminals who use motels, apartments and caravan parks as their makeshift headquarters.

The Motel Watch project was officially launched at Ipswich’s Quest Serviced Apartments on Thursday, signalling the beginning of a partnership that will also involve CrimeStoppers and the Ipswich City Council.

The project involves the opening of communication lines between accommodation providers and police, so that information regarding persons of interest in criminal investigations can be distributed efficiently.

Ipswich Crime Prevention Unit officer in charge Sergeant Nadine Webster said motel industry staff would also be trained in identifying illicit drug labs and fraud prevention.

“The use of technology and the transfer of information in a timely manner is really important,” Sergeant Webster said.

Accommodation providers have agreed to place CrimeStoppers information on telephones in every room, with guests encouraged to pass on information about suspicious activity.

The project will incorporate all accommodation providers within the Ipswich police district, from high-rise luxury apartments to caravan parks.

Quest Apartments manager Scott Bellingham said he had witnessed motel-based crime while living in Melbourne, and that the education of staff on what to look out for was vital.

“Anything we can do to cut down on crime is a good thing, because unfortunately a lot of criminals see hotels and motels as a place to ply their trade – they get in and get out quickly,” Mr Bellingham said.

Staff will also be trained in personal safety as part of the project.