Major Brisbane shopping centre demands action on crime

A westside shopping centre is so desperate for help to combat a crime wave it’s offering a free shopfront for a new police beat.

Toowong Village has asked for a police beat after a rise in incidents residents blame on at-risk people moved into the nearby Atira student highrise. Picture: Liam Kidston

TOOWONG Village shopping centre is so desperate for a police beat they have offered a free shopfront to help tackle a wave of vandalism, thefts, drug use and harassment of customers.

The offer comes after a meeting between the busy shopping centre and police late last month and an online public meeting with Indooroopilly police on Monday.

Toowong locals say there has been a spike in incidents since state Housing Minister Mick de Brenni quietly announced, on Good Friday, a plan to move up to 300 at-risk people into the nearby Atira student highrise.

The Atira saga so far

Drug deals done in our letterboxes

No visitors allowed, 24/7 security

Housing Minister dodges questions on plan

‘Vile’ leaflet stirs up tensions

Homeless to be moved to Brisbane highrise

The Government has taken out a lease on the Glen Rd highrise until at least the end of the year because of fears social distancing was impossible at crowded West End and Spring Hill hostels.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington and LNP candidate for the local state seat, Lauren Day, toured the proposed police beat site, in a former Suncorp branch.

“I have been inundated with calls from parents, business owners and retirees who are concerned for their safety,’’ Ms Day said.

“A recent meeting I attended with Indooroopilly police and service providers raised concerns about theft, trespass, vandalism, indecent exposure, drug use and harassment of locals.

“Toowong desperately needs a new police beat, now.

“That’s why I have launched a petition for a police beat.

Deb Frecklington (left) and Lauren Day (second from right) inspect the proposed Toowong police beat.

“I call on Labor to listen to residents and help the community.

“The LNP supports the need for social housing, but there must be adequate police and health resources.’’

Ms Day claimed up to 500 at-risk people would be moved into Atira despite residents previously being told the number would be limited to 300.

Local state Greens MP, Michael Berkman, said he had been very keen to support the police by ensuring they had adequate resources to fulfil their role.

“They have assured me they are functioning effectively with their existing resources and that their existing staffing levels are adequate, particularly since fewer officers are absent for court appearances, training and other activities due to COVID-19,’’ Mr Berkman said.

“They are managing resourcing within the usual police channels.

“I understand the police also reaffirmed, at the LNP’s phone meeting on Monday evening, that they’re adequately resourced.

“These calls from the LNP for a new police beat are not consistent with what the police themselves are actually saying.

“Police have reported no significant increase in crime in the area since the new residents moved in.’’

A Glen Rd unit complex tenant said her neighbour had seen minibuses with up to 10 people arriving this week, which they believed to be people who had been living in motels.

“The fact 10 new residents are moving in each week until Atira reaches capacity at 500, without any consultation, isn’t good enough,” Ms Day said.

Ms Day said one mother, Mila, told her: “I will no longer allow my son to walk to school alone’’.

“As a mother of two children and the wife of a police officer, I know how important community safety is to local families here in Toowong,’’ Ms Day said.

LNP candidate for Maiwar, Lauren Day (far right) meets residents concerned about the anti-social behaviour.