Security boost at North Blackburn Shopping Centre after ram raids

SECURITY has been beefed up at a shopping centre in Blackburn after it was hit by two ram raids in six weeks. Here’s what has been installed to deter thieves.

Thieves drove through the doors at the centre earlier this month.

SECURITY measures are being boosted at North Blackburn Shopping Centre after it was hit by two ram raids in six weeks.

A whopping 27 bollards were erected around the centre last week, after thieves managed to avoid the existing bollards and crash stolen vehicles into the centre.

Australian Unity, which owns the centre, has also organised for extra CCTV cameras to be installed around the premises, spokeswoman Penny Bold said.

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She said more lighting was being added to the external carpark and the company was having the site’s security measures evaluated after the latest attack.

“A security consultant has been appointed to undertake a complete security-risk asset assessment,” she said.

Bollards stood guarding the front entrance prior to the recent ram raids.

Thieves drove through the doors at the shopping centre earlier this month.

But on August 29, thieves managed to get a stolen ute around the bollards via the footpath, to ram the front doors and steal cigarettes from the IGA.

A stolen ute was also squeezed between the building’s cement pillars at the western entrance at 2.20am on October 4.

The thieves then drove around inside the centre, ramming shops and stealing cash from the optometrist and hairdresser, plus $4000 worth of hair straighteners.

Bollards are now in place at the shopping centre following the most recent attack.

Ms Bold said management didn’t think vehicles would be able to enter the centre.

She said bollards now filled “any perceived gap” in the barrier around the building.

Another ram raid took place at the centre back in May 2017.

When the shopping spot is redeveloped next year — if the move gets approval from Whitehorse Council — a high-level security plan will be put in place, Ms Bold said.

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