Safety fears at Mitcham shops after break-ins

THE owner of a real estate agency is leading a call for safety improvements at a shopping strip after a series of break-ins. But the council just rejected an opportunity to help.

The Mitcham shopping strip has been hit by a number of break-ins

THE owner of a Mitcham real estate agency is leading a call for safety improvements at the Rangeview Shopping Centre after a series of break-ins.

But only this month Whitehorse Council rejected councillors’ push to apply for federal government cash to up safety measures there.

Noel Jones’ Matthew Scafidi has had an office at the Mitcham Rd shopping strip for five years and says he is worried about the increasing attacks on businesses.

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“It’s time to make our shopping strip safe again,” he said.

Mr Scafidi said last month was the sixth time police had asked him if he had CCTV to help inquiries into an incident that happened on a Saturday night.

His office has been broken into three times, with the front window having being smashed in.

The Mitcham shopping strip has been hit by a number of break-ins.

He has resorted to installing bars at the back of the office to physically stop intruders.

“If we don’t people will try another break in,” he said.

He’s worried the crime could escalate.

“It’s got to the stage now where someone’s going to get hurt.”

Mitcham IGA Express manager Jason Zhou said thieves had driven a vehicle through his shopfront three times in the last year in attempts to steal the ATM machine and liquor.

“It happens every year,” Mr Zhou said.

Mr Sacfidi said all someone needed to do was be walking past at the wrong time to be injured.

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The post office at the shopping strip was the subject of an armed holdup last year.

Mr Scafidi is calling for a government grant to get CCTV or bollards at the strip to help deter crime.

The IGA has CCTV, but he believes it’s needed across the whole precinct.

Councillor Ben Stennett last week suggested the council apply for funding under the Federal Governments ‘Safer Communities’ grant for safety improvements at the shopping centre, at the council’s special meeting.

Councillor Prue Cutts said people were starting to feel uncomfortable at the Rangeview shops.

“This is an area where there is increased criminal activity,” she said.

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But the suggestion was voted down.

Councillor Andrew Munroe said the shopping centre did not include public space.

“If there is an issue there around the commercial premises … I think the onus is not necessarily on council,” he said. “I think it’s on the commercial businesses.”

General manager city development Jeff Green told Whitehorse Leader the council did not believe CCTV was needed at the shops.