Kwinana bushfire downgraded

A bushfire emergency in the Kwinana area has been downgraded, but homes are still under possible threat as crews battle two blazes just 4km apart.

Fire crews battle an out of control bush fire threatening homes in Kwinana. Picture: Kirsty Little/Twitter Source: News Limited

Bushfire as seen from Sloan Drive in Leda. Picture: Nine News/Twitter Source: Supplied

THE threat from this afternoon's bushfire emergency in Perth's south has lessened, but homes are still under possible threat as crews battle two blazes just 4km apart.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has downgraded its emergency alert to a watch and act for the bigger of the two fires - in Leda, Calista and Medina in the Kwinana area.

A fire in bushland in Kwinana is a possible threat to homes. Picture: Justin Benson Cooper Source: News Limited

Tonight, the medium-level alert remains for people west of Medina Avenue in Medina, west of Calista Avenue in Calista and the northern part of Leda in the City of Kwinana.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as they are approaching the area and conditions are changing. People need to leave or get ready to actively defend.

The fire is contained but not controlled.

A bushfire advice warning was tonight in place for the second blaze, affecting people in Kwinana Beach, east of Rockingham Road and Patterson Road to the railway line.

The fire is bounded by Thomas Road, Abercombie Road, Hope Valley Road and Rockingham Road in Kwinana Beach and Naval Base in the City of Kwinana.

The fire started in bushland north of Thomas Road near Ratcliffe Road.

DFES believes the now small controllable blaze was deliberately lit.

The cause of the bigger fire is unknown at this stage.

Although there is no immediate threat, people should stay alert for any updates.

Fire crews battle an out of control bush fire threatening homes in Kwinana. Picture: Kirsty Little/Twitter Source: News Limited

In regards to the Leda, Calista and Medina blaze, a wind change saw the fire shift to a north westerly direction this afternoon. The fire is now burning towards Mandurah Road. Eighty five firefighters are battling the blaze.

A second out of control fire has been sparked nearby, prompting another evacuation plea.

A watch and act alert has been issued for people in an area bounded by Thomas Road, Abercombie Road, Hope Valley Road and Rockingham Road in Kwinana Beach and Naval Base in the City of Kwinana.

The fire started in bushland north of Thomas Road near Ratcliffe Road. It is burning towards Rockingham Road.

The Kwinana Golf Club has also reportedly been evacuated.

The sense of urgency was heightened because the fire is close to the Dampier to Bunbury gas pipeline. A DFES spokesman said fire crews were doing their best to protect that asset.

The fire started between Gentle Road and Wellard Road. It is burning towards the Kwinana Golf Club.

Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home. Spot fires are starting up to 50m ahead of the fire.

About 49 hectares have been burnt.

A fire in bushland in Kwinana is a possible threat to homes. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Locals watch as fire edges closer

Residents along Porter Gardens in Leda have lined up in front of Sloan's Reserve watching as smoke comes closer to houses.

Martin Montgomery, who lives on Porter Gardens, said it was the first time in years that Sloan's reserve has been on fire.

"I'd say there is a fire bug about because there was a fire here last night that they put out really quickly," Mr Montgomery said.

Mr Montgomery said he was unsure if he would stay and defend or evacuate. But he said his family evacuated the home about three hours ago.

Anthony O'Bree has lived in Kwinana for 14 years and his house is about 1km away from the fire.

"I'll fight, I'll even come down and help people out," he said.

"I've had a couple of mates evacuate from Medina."

Eighty five career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service firefighters from 20 stations and brigades are on the scene, and aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

A temporary evacuation centre has been set up at the Kwinana Town Council building on the corner of Sulphur Road and Gilmore Avenue in Kwinana.

Text and voice messages have been sent to people in the area warning them of the danger.

The cause of the fire, reported at about 12.30pm, is unknown.

Fire crews battle an out of control bush fire threatening homes in Kwinana. Picture: Kirsty Little/Twitter Source: News Limited

WHAT TO DO:

•If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.

•There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

•If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.

•Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

•If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

SAFEST ROUTE:

If you live in the eastern part of Calista or Leda leave in a northerly direction. Do not travel along Wellard Road between Gilmore Avenue and Mandurah Road.

A fire in bushland in Kwinana is a possible threat to homes. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

ROAD CLOSURES:

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

A number of roads have been closed including:

•Wellard Road

•Gentle Road

•Stanyford Way

Vehicle control points have been set up along Mandurah Road at the following locations:

•Day Road

•Office Road

•Beach Street

•Richardson Road

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Teen gets seven years for rape

A 16-year-old boy who raped and threatened to kill a young woman in her Perth home last year has been sentenced to seven years' detention. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

A 16-YEAR-old boy who raped and threatened to kill a young woman in her Perth home last year has been sentenced to seven years' detention.

The teenager was armed with a knife when he broke into the woman's southern suburbs home in late September in the early hours of the morning and sexually assaulted her.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, one count of aggravated burglary and one count of create a false belief.

Today in the Perth Children's Court he was sentenced to a total of seven years immediate detention.

Harrowing details of the incident were read out in court today by Children's Court president Denis Reynolds, including how the woman grabbed the knife off her attacker and sustained cuts to her hands in the process.

The court heard how the victim was "convinced she was going to die."

The court was told the teenager broke into the woman's home via a window before entering her bedroom with a 30cm kitchen knife, threatening to kill her if she screamed before raping her.

The court heard the young woman grabbed the knife off him before the teenager grabbed it back again. She then managed to flee the house but the armed teen chased after her.

Realising there were people in the area outside, he fled the scene, but left many of his belongings behind.

Judge Reynolds labelled the teenager's actions "shocking, appalling and horribly wrong". He said the public would be "outraged" if he did not sentence the teenager to detention.

"The offending by you is right in the upper echelon of seriousness," Judge Reynolds said.

"There is a likelihood the impact of your offending will be long lasting on her (the victim).

"What you did was just so shocking, so appalling … horribly and seriously wrong."

Judge Reynolds said he did not believe the teenager had shown enough remorse for what he did. He said such attacks on young women had to be dealt with "firmly" by the courts.

"I don't expect you are nowhere near as remorseful as you should be," he said.

Sections of the young woman's victim impact statement were read out today in court. In part it read: "I was convinced I would die a lonely death."

The court heard the victim now suffered from panic attacks, nightmares and had sustained permanent scarring as a result of the attack.

Judge Reynolds noted the scars on her hand from being cut with the knife would remind her daily of what happened to her.

"Those scars will be a constant reminder," he said.

When the teenager appeared in court last month it was revealed that he had concocted a number of false stories to police during his interviews with them.

One such lie was that he was forced to break into the victim's home by a group of men who then forced him to commit the sexual assault.

All of the stories were proved false, hence he was charged by police with the offence create a false belief.

The teenager will be eligible for supervised release after serving half his sentence.

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Triple January rainfall in one day

Heavy rainfall has resulted in roads in the Kalgoorlie/Kambalda area being flooded. Picture: Travis Anderson Source: News Limited

INLAND parts of WA have received unseasonal and record-breaking rainfall, bringing floods to parts of the state that are normally parched.

The Bureau of Meteorology has observed a deep tropical low that moved inland overnight.

Coupled with a cloudband streaming to the southeast, it brought rain and thunderstorms to large parts of the state's inland areas.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder was drenched with 103mm in the 24 hours to 9am this morning, while 117.8mm fell at Leonora.

Heavy rainfall has resulted in roads in the Kalgoorlie/Kambalda area being flooded. Picture: Travis Anderson

A severe weather warning was in place this morning for areas between Israelite Bay, Laverton and Eucla, after earlier reaching to the Wheatbelt and Goldfields, including Kalgoorlie.

Flood warnings are in place for the De Grey River catchment and the Goldfields District, and people in towns including Laverton, Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie have been warned to take action.

Yesterday, Mingah Springs in the Gascoyne recorded 183.3mm, easily the biggest single-day deluge since the station was established and more than triple its entire January average.

Heavy rainfall has resulted in roads in the Kalgoorlie/Kambalda area being flooded. Picture: Travis Anderson

The previous record was 106.6mm in March 1999.

Broome wasn't far behind, copping 171mm to 9am yesterday, in its wettest January day for almost 17 years.

Other wet spots included Doolgunna (151mm) and Ned's Creek (110.4mm), which have average January rainfalls of less than 30mm.

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Officers suspended over unlocked cell

Five youth custodial officers have been suspended over allegations a cell was left unlocked at WA's only juvenile detention centre. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

FIVE youth custodial officers have been suspended over allegations a cell was left unlocked at WA's only juvenile detention centre.

The Department of Corrective Services has confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the alleged incident which took place at Banksia Hill this week.

A spokesman told PerthNow an occupied cell had allegedly been left unlocked on Monday night.

He said five youth custodial officers had been suspended while the inquiry was being carried out.

It is understood no damage was caused to the cell or the detention centre.

The alleged incident comes exactly one year after more than 70 young offenders went on a violent rampage at the facility.

The incident caused around $400,000 worth of damage and led to more than 150 teenage boys being moved to Hakea prison, an adult facility for prisoners on remand or who had just been sentenced.

A report into the January 21 riot by the Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan found the incident was "entirely predictable" saying there were warning signs that a serious incident could occur 18 months before it took place.

His report said moving juvenile offenders into a single facility led to the problems at Banksia Hill.

The Barnett Government shut down the Rangeview Remand Centre in 2012 to make way for the Wandoo Reintegration Facility which is run by private contractor Serco.

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Celebrities back 'anti-shark cull' campaign

Ricky Gervais is one of several UK celebrities publicly urging the WA Government to stop the planned shark catch-and-kill policy. Picture: Natalie Banks/Twitter Source: Supplied

RICKY Gervais and a host of other British celebrities have backed a campaign to stop WA's plan to catch-and-kill sharks.

The world famous comedian and prominent animal rights advocate was pictured holding an anti-cull sign at today's National TV Awards in London.

Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Tom Daley, comedians Keith Lemon and Alan Carr and reality show star Mark Wright were also photographed on Twitter weighing into the debate.

The high profile message to the Barnett Government said: "Listen to facts. Listen to science. Listen to reason. Stop the shark cull. #nosharkcull."

Gemma Care, who organised the stunt, tweeted: "Went to @OfficialNTAs tonight & got hugely appreciated celeb support for #NoSharkCull Campaign!"

Gervais has more than 5.4 million followers on Twitter, while Lemon is followed by over 1.2 million people.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt this week granted the State Government a temporary exemption from national environment laws protecting great white sharks.

Up to 72 drumlines are due to be deployed after the government announced Fisheries staff would bait and monitor the hooks in Perth and a fisherman had been contracted to patrol the South-West.

More than 4000 people protested against the plan earlier this month and a second rally is planned for Cottesloe Beach at 10am on February 1.

The proposed policy has attracted worldwide media attention, with the Wall Street Journal among many overseas publications to pick up on the story.

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Asylum escapees could face sanctions

Three more asylum seekers have broken out of the Yongah Hill Detention Centre today. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

THE Federal Government is considering introducing "sanctions" against asylum seekers who break out of detention.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said he was currently looking at "options" following the fourth escape yesterday from the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in five months.

As first reported by PerthNow, four men broke out of the Northam facility by scaling the fences yesterday afternoon. Three were recaptured almost immediately the fourth was caught a short time later.

Speaking on radio this morning Mr Morrison, who is expected to make an announcement regarding funding for screening for customs and border protection services later today, said in light of revelations this week he had asked his department to evaluate where detainees were placed.

The Sunday Times/PerthNow revealed this week that it took three asylum seekers just 45 seconds to escape from Yongah Hill on January 12 using nothing more than padded socks.

Documents leaked by a Serco insider highlighted major security flaws at the WA facility as well as other Australian detention centres.

"What I am asking the department to do now is evaluate change frankly who they are putting into that facility and making a different assessment on the risk of people absconding from these facilities," he told 6PR.

"We'll put them in other facilities where we can be more confident these sort of things won't happen."

Mr Morrison said he was unhappy there had been yet another escape from the Serco-run detention centre in a matter of weeks.

But rather than shelve all the blame on the private contractor he said it was also his government's "responsibility.

"You're right I'm not happy about it," he said. "I don't think it's acceptable.

"And in terms of the facility we have at Yongah Hill and in terms of some of the things highlighted in the reviews that have been undertaken post these incident of people absconding, I want to be confident putting people in the facility that are far less likely trying this on.

"We have reviewed what happens in these facilities. People have a strong will to try it on, it's not unlike the people who are trying to get to Australia by boat, they will try it on.

"Ultimately this is a government owned facility, run by a service provider but ultimately its Government which is responsible.

"I want to make some changes so we are dealing with this problem.

"There is also the issue of disincentive from absconding through the system. I am looking at options, at what greater sanctions we might be able to apply to people who abscond from detention."

According to the confidential information leaked to The Sunday Times, weaknesses in the detention network included asylum seekers' access to the internet to book plane tickets or organise getaway cars through friends via social media and even download Google maps to plan their escape routes.

Detainees had become increasingly confident because of the number of successful escapes in recent years, while the voltage on the 3.2m electric fence was not strong enough to actually shock escapees and its design made it easy to climb.

The Serco insider claimed the entire system was "dysfunctional" and that he was speaking out because he was tired of the "incompetence".

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Woman threatened with hammer in violent invasion

A police officer has risked his life trying to arrest a man wanted over a home invasion.

A 21-YEAR-OLD woman is too scared to sleep in her family home after a man threatened her with a hammer in a violent home invasion.

Police are searching for the man, whose vehicle is shown in the above video, who broke into the woman's Bunbury home on Friday night.

The woman, who wished to remain nameless for safety reasons, said she had been taken home by a friend about midnight and was about to go to bed when she heard a strange noise in her backyard.

A 21-year-old woman has told of how she's scared to sleep in her family home after a man broke in and threatened her with a hammer. Source: Supplied

She originally thought she was being paranoid because her home had been broken into twice over the Christmas season.

"But then I heard someone trying one of the back doors, so I yelled out hoping they would go away and be scared by me," she said.

"Then I heard really loud banging on the back window."

Before she could do anything, the man smashed into her living room.

"He was on one side of the dining room so I picked up a chair to put something between us," she said.

"He brought the hammer so close to my head and screamed at me 'Where's your money?' and kept screaming at me."

A 21-year-old woman has told of how she's scared to sleep in her family home after a man broke in and threatened her with a hammer. Source: Supplied

He left her home with her purse.

After he left, a neighbour, who had heard the commotion, came to help, armed with a bat.

He chased the offender down the street and gave police a description of a vehicle, later involved in a chase.

Police located the Toyota Hilux and pulled it over when an officer was dragged by the car when the driver attempted to take off.

Police then had to abort a chase due for safety reasons.

A 21-year-old woman has told of how she's scared to sleep in her family home after a man broke in and threatened her with a hammer. Source: Supplied

The woman said she was very angry someone had made her feel unsafe in her family home.

"I'm shocked someone could commit a crime like this but on the other hand it shows how amazing some people can be to come out of their home and put themselves in danger to help me," she said.

"But I'm really angry that someone has made me feel scared in my own home - I grew up in that house and now I can't even sleep there."

Anyone with any information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Claremont killer rumours 'wrong'

Murdered: Jane Rimmer Source: News Limited

Missing: Sarah Spiers Source: Supplied

WA Police have been forced to hose down rumours of an imminent arrest in the State's biggest unsolved murder case.

In an unusual move this afternoon, Major Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Anthony Lee issued a statement rejecting suggestions an announcement would be made on the Claremont serial killer investigation.

It is the case that continues to haunt the State almost 20 years on, that began with the disappearance of 18-year-old Sarah Spiers from the western suburb on Australia Day 1996.

It was followed by the disappearance of Jane Rimmer, 23, in June that same year.

Ms Spiers' body has never been found, while Ms Rimmer's body was discovered in bushland a month after her disappearance.

Then in March 1997, Ciara Glennon, 27, also vanished after a night out in Claremont. Her body was found in April 1997 in scrubland.

Det. Supt. Lee said there had been talk in the community recently suggesting a significant development in the case, dubbed Macro, or an arrest was imminent.

However, he said those rumours were not correct.

Murdered: Ciara Glennon Source: News Limited

"This type of rumour does not serve to assist the investigation and causes unnecessary distress to the families. We know the investigation generates significant interest and for this reason WA Police are clarifying the situation with the public," he said.

"The investigation remains active and WA Police are committed to resolving these serious crimes."

Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Taser cops may appeal, union angry

Two policemen who tasered Kevin Spratt repetitively assaulted their vulnerable victim in a gross error of judgment, a Perth magistrate found as he spared the officers jail time today.

TWO policemen who tasered Kevin Spratt repetitively assaulted their "vulnerable victim" in a gross error of judgment, a Perth magistrate found as he spared the officers jail time today.

More than five years after their repeated tasering of Mr Spratt in the East Perth watch house, auxiliary officer Troy Tomlin, 34, and Sgt Aaron Grant Strahan, 45 were this morning sentenced to suspended jail terms and fined thousands of dollars.

The convictions and sentences have outraged the WA Police Union, which expressed its shock and disappointment and warned the case could have widespread ramifications on the mindset of every police officer.

Union president George Tilbury backed the Tomlin and Strahan, saying the union believed they were "wrongfully convicted" and given "manifestly unjust sentences".

Aaron Strahan, left, and his colleague Troy Tomlin leave Perth Magistrates Court after being convicted of the tasering assault of Kevin Spratt. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited

The officers' futures with WA Police hang in the balance in the wake of their convictions.

They are now considering appealing against their convictions and sentence. Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan declined to comment because of the possibility of an appeal.

Magistrate Richard Bromfield described the assault of Mr Spratt - who was tasered by the convicted officers nine times in just over a minute after he refused to be stripsearched - as a "gross error of judgment" and a "persistent and repetitive assault on a vulnerable victim in custody."

The tasering came to light and attracted international headlines when the Corruption and Crime Commission investigated and released shocking CCTV vision of the September 2008 incident.

Yesterday, Mr Bromfield found Tomlin guilty of all three common assault charges against him and Strahan guilty of three charges and not guilty on a fourth.

Today the magistrate concluded imprisonment was the only sentence, but chose to suspend the officers' eight-month terms for six months.

Tomlin was also fined $3800, while Strahan was slapped with a $3250 penalty.

"No reasonable person could view that footage without being disturbed,'' Mr Bromfield said.

He said claims from defence lawyer Karen Vernon that Mr Spratt could have been screaming in joy during the assault were "fanciful''. Instead, he described Mr Spratt's utterances as loud and protracted cries of anguish.

While Mr Spratt had been intoxicated and unco-operative before the assault, his struggling during the incident was an understandable response as the Tasers were clearly causing him discomfort, he said.

"He was in custody. He could not flee from either of you. He was in an extremely vulnerable position,'' he said.

An image from CCTV vision which shows Kevin Spratt being tasered by police. Source: Supplied

Mr Spratt was at court today, but did not comment on the sentences as he left.

Mr Tilbury said the case would strike fear into the minds of every police officer who carries a Taser.

"Tasers were brought in to provide another less than lethal force option and prevent injury to police officers and others. This incident is a case in point, as no one was injured," he said.

"However, officers are now faced with the prospect of criminal convictions clouding their decision if they use their Taser.

"Officers should not be backed into a corner like this. They should be able to use all reasonable force options required in the circumstances and should not be scared to use their taser when needed."

Mr Tilbury said the case had gone on too long and caused a significant toll on the officers and their families.

After yesterday's verdict, Mr Spratt expressed relief in a statement saying the decision confirmed that no one was above the law and that a Taser should only be used as a last resort.

He hoped the verdict would make it less likely that others would suffer at the hands of police misusing their power.

Tomlin and Strahan, who were previously fined $1200 and $750 respectively after an internal police disciplinary hearing, declined to comment outside court but are expected to issue a statement later today.

They are expected to have to fight to keep their jobs as a result of the convictions.

The verdict will now likely factor into Mr Spratt's imminent application for an ex-gratia compensation payment.

Sentencing submissions

Yesterday, the officers' defence lawyer Karen Vernon argued for spent convictions and either a good behaviour bond or fines rather than imprisonment.

She said it had been a "long and dark period" for her clients.

Both officers were senior constables at the time, but Strahan has since been promoted to a sergeant while Tomlin has become an auxiliary officer for WA Police.

Ms Vernon submitted Tomlin stepped down from frontline policing over the events in question.

"It seems that for them this is a situation that just continues to play out and play out in the public arena," she said.

Ms Vernon said the officers had suffered personal condemnation and shame.

She also said her clients, who could lose their jobs as a result of the verdict, would seek to apply for a spent conviction as it would dent their employment prospects.

However, state prosecutor James MacTaggart said a spent conviction would "trivialise" the pair's conduct and submitted a "substantial fine" would be appropriate.

Mr Bromfield rejected the spent conviction application.

Six-day trial over tasering in 2008

Strahan and Tomlin have been on trial for six days, jointly accused of common assault over the tasering of Mr Spratt.

CCTV footage showed the senior constables tasering Mr Spratt nine times in just over a minute after he refused to be stripsearched.

In handing down his decision in Perth Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon, the magistrate acquitted Strahan of the fourth assault charge because there was insufficient evidence that the Taser actually struck Mr Spratt on that occasion.

He convicted the officers of all other charges, saying there was no reason for self-defence and their actions were "not authorised or justified."

The court heard from an expert witness that police were instructed not to use the devices for the purposes of ensuring compliance.

Kevin Spratt who was repeatedly tasered by police. Source: News Limited

Victim relieved

Mr Spratt was not in court yesterday, but in a statement issued after the verdict he said it was a "huge relief that justice has finally been delivered."

"I am pleased that the court has confirmed that no one is above the law and a Taser should only be used as a last resort," he said.

"I am hopeful that today's convictions and the views previously expressed by the CCC will make it less likely others would suffer at the hands of police misusing their power."

Mr Spratt will soon apply to the Attorney-General for an ex-gratia compensation payment. If that is unsuccessful, he will consider launching a civil case against the two officers and possibly others.

The policemen were charged following an inquiry by the Corruption and Crime Commission.

In April 2012, the CCC recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions consider laying charges against the pair.

Self-defence claims

During the trial, Ms Vernon argued that Mr Spratt had became uncontrollable and the officers had used justifiable force as Mr Spratt was extremely difficult to restrain.

But Mr MacTaggart said Mr Spratt wasn't posing a threat to anyone.

"To the extent that it's suggested that the application (of the taser) was self-defence ... we say that was not a reasonable response in the circumstances," Mr MacTaggart said.

"On the floor he didn't constitute a threat.

"With so many officers around ... there was simply no need to exercise the taser again."

The court was told that when Tomlin first tasered Mr Spratt he said "give me your hand or you're going to get f...... tasered" before he went on to taser Mr Spratt for three seconds.

After Strahan first tasered Mr Spratt, he then him "do you want to go again? Do you want to go again?" before shocking him for another five seconds..

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Escapee caught in Northbridge

A detainee who led police on major police hunt throughout Perth city centre today after escaping while under the watch of Serco guards has been caught.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped Serco custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

A DETAINEE who led police on major police hunt throughout Perth city centre today after escaping while under the watch of Serco guards has been caught.

Officers arrested the man, who is believed to be Vietnamese, in Northbridge just before 6pm this evening. He had been on the run since 3.45pm after giving the guards the slip from the corner of Pier and Wellington Streets in the Perth CBD.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

Police shut down parts of the city and flooded the streets, checking stores along the shopping strip as well as big department stores such as Myer.

The police helicopter was also brought in to help track the man down who was seen wearing green cargo pants, blue t-shirt and a white bandage on his left hand.

It is not known why the man was in the custody of the Department of Immigration but it is believed he had been treated at Royal Perth Hospital shortly before he escaped.

A WA police spokesman confirmed the man was under the guard of the department and Serco staff.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

Alex Kwon, manager of Sun Cafe on William and Newcastle streets said he saw the man running north along William before police stopped him.

Mr Kwon said it was all over quickly and the man was arrested without any violence.

The latest escape comes just a day after detainees broke out of Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam and just over a fortnight after another breakout. Three detainees escaped the Northam detention centre on January 12.

PERTH NOW - Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

The Sunday Times/PerthNow revealed this week that it took those detainees just 45 seconds to scale the fences at the detention centre using nothing more than padded socks.

Documents leaked by a Serco insider highlighted major security flaws at the WA facility as well as other Australian detention centers.

Sources have confirmed to PerthNow that the man who escaped was under the watch of Serco.

The Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was contacted for comment.

RECENT ESCAPES

January 21 - Four men scale the fence at the Yongah Hill detention centre. They are recaptured within hours.

January 17 - Bradley McIntosh-Narrier escapes from Joondalup Health Campus in a stolen Subaru Liberty after smashing up a bathroom and threatening guards. He was recaptured three days later.

January 12 - Three men take just 45 seconds to break out from Yongah Hill Detention Centre. Two of the Vietnamese detainees were caught, with a third still on the run.

January 3 - Rapist Cameron John Graham and fellow inmate Kelden Edward Fraser kick their way out of a prison van at the Geraldton Airport, as they are transferred back to Perth. They were found at a bush camp near Mullewa, about 450 kilometres north of Perth, 36 hours later.

December 27 - A Vietnamese detainee escapes on his own from the Yongah Hill detention centre.

August 17 - Five detainees escape from the Yongah Hill detention centre after scaling the internal and perimeter fences. All the men were eventually recaptured.

Police have recaptured a detainee who escaped SERCO custody. He was caught on the corner of William and Newcastle street. Photo by Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

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