Police raid supported living home in Perth
In Perth, Australia, police entered a supported living home under a search warrant while three women with psychosocial disabilities and two support workers were inside. According to ABC News Australia, officers forced open the front door and searched the premises, although it was later established that the home was not connected to the investigation.
Search of two residences
Security cameras at the home recorded eight police officers, including two members of the Tactical Response Group. A worker named Udday, who asked for his surname not to be disclosed, said police ordered him and a colleague to raise their hands, handcuffed them and made them lie on the floor.
In the Belmont area, two separate houses belonging to the same owner are located at one address. A Western Australia Police spokesperson said detectives were executing a search warrant for both residences because, based on the information available to them, a person of interest to the investigation could have been there. According to the police spokesperson, it was soon established that the home operating under the NDIS program was not connected to the case.
In the neighbouring residence, police said they found methamphetamine, cannabis, drug paraphernalia and weapons. Two men were taken into custody.
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Impact on residents
Tyler Burness, the head of Ilora, the company that leases and operates the home, said the residents were not detained or handcuffed, but weapons were pointed at them. According to him, the two workers who could have provided support to the women in case of anxiety were detained at the time.
Burness said the three residents required further support for anxiety after the raid. One of them, who has a schizophrenia disorder, believed the police had come specifically for her. Udday returned to work after counselling with a psychologist and physical therapy paid for by his employer.
Western Australia Police said it had reviewed body-worn camera footage and considered the officers' actions to be in line with procedures. The agency also stated that it compensates for damaged property in cases of forced entry if no offences are established. Burness said he had not been offered compensation for the damaged door and was considering filing a complaint with the Corruption and Crime Commission.
