Belrose, Glenrose shops: Criminal damage and drug use by young people targeted

Northern beaches’ hooligans involved in ‘stupid and nasty’ acts have been put on notice by authorities.

Under age hooligans, who locals say are using booze and dope and causing criminal damage around a busy northern beaches shopping centre, have been put on notice.

A vigilant local Neighbourhood Watch group and police have joined forces to halt the escalating episodes of “stupid and nasty” anti-social behaviour at Belrose.

Residents have been complaining about a spike in wanton vandalism at the popular Glenrose Shopping Village and increased drug and alcohol use in nearby Wingara Reserve, popular for its kids playground.

Damaged fence panels at the Glenrose Shopping Village at Belrose. Picture: David Buchanan

In recent weeks locals have been finding used cannabis “bongs” and empty “nangs” — nitrous oxide canisters — as well as smashed alcohol bottles around the reserve’s children’s playground.

Vandals have even wrecked kids’ fun by smearing baked beans and tomato sauce on the slippery dips.

And shopping centre management has had to repeatedly repair smashed down fence panels kicked in by vandals around the centre’s loading dock and staff car park.

Now repeated reports to police and Neighbourhood Watch (Belrose, Davidson and Frenchs Forest) has prompted the Crime Prevention Team at Northern Beaches Police to team up with locals.

A damaged fence at the rear of the Glenrose Shopping Village at Belrose. Picture: Libby Paulsen

As well as telling the chair of the Neighbourhood Watch committee, Libby Paulsen, that the area has become a “must patrol” zone, police are calling on residents to help stop the criminal and anti-social behaviour.

In a letter to residents the Crime Prevention Team wrote that local police had received “several reports of break & enter, trespass and malicious damage incidents occurring in and around the Glenrose shopping area, including surrounding parks and streets”.

“These offences generally occur outside of school hours,” the letter stated. “Youths appear to be congregating in the area, consuming alcohol and illicit drugs, resulting in offensive behaviour, damage to property and leaving dangerous/harmful litter in the area.”

Damaged fence panels near the loading dock and staff car park at the Glenrose Shopping Village. Picture: David Buchanan

Police asked residents for their help “in the form of eyes and ears of the community” and if they see an offence to immediately call Frenchs Forest or Dee Why police stations.

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“Northern Beaches Police are committed to the ongoing investigation and detection of

offenders for these crimes,” the letter stated. “It is with your assistance that we work together to make this community a safer one.”

Ms Paulsen said Neighbourhood Watch was receiving increasing reports of youths gathering in Wingara Reserve.

A section of a letter from the Crime Prevention Team at Northern Beaches Police asking for help from locals to reduce reports of criminal and anti-social behaviour around the Glenrose Shopping Village. Picture: NSW Police

“Unfortunately the children’s playground seems to be an area where they congregate at night time and leave it in the most disgusting of states.

“A couple of weeks ago someone had emptied a tin of baked beans, tomato sauce, all sort of things, down the inside of the slippery dips which is really just plain stupid and nasty.”

Ms Paulsen said around the time that the shopping centre fences were damaged there were “big groups of boys” out in the reserve.

“We’ve been encouraging people who live around the reserve that if they see a big group to report it to the police.

A graffiti attack at the Glenrose Shopping Village. Picture: Supplied

“The worry is that is will get completely out of hand and someone will end up getting injured.”

Glenrose shopping centre manager Ashley Loder confirmed recent incidences of malicious damage.

“We have had some recent vandalism by youths at the centre, which is very disappointing,” Ms Loder said.

“We will continue to work with the police and local stakeholders such as Neighbourhood Watch to help identify the people responsible for the damage and prevent any further vandalism.”