Black Friday 2020: Stonnington police to boost patrols at Chadstone for sales event

Bargain hunters have been put on notice ahead of a Black Friday sales rush at Chadstone, with police ready to crack down. Here’s what they have planned.

Police will be out in force at Chadstone to ensure shoppers, including Ben Mickle and Jay Squires, do so safely during the Black Friday sales. Picture: David Crosling

More than half a million bargain hunters are expected to hit Melbourne’s shopping capital during the Black Saturday sales rush — and police will cracking down on anyone not social distancing.

Police will conduct Operation Chadstone from November 27 to 29 to ensure shopper safety ahead of predicted massive crowds at Chadstone Shopping Centre on the weekend.

The centre is expecting 500,000 visitors over its week-long sales event, with the three weekend days of the operation tipped to be the busiest.

Malvern police Sergeant Sonya Clark said officers would team up with the centre’s security team and VicRoads for the operation.

Sgt Clark said uniform officers would patrol the centre to deter anti-social behaviour and ensure shoppers followed coronavirus safety measures.

She said highway patrol officers would assist with traffic management in and around the centre.

Signs at one of Chadstone shopping centre’s entrances, encouraging social distancing. Picture: David Crosling

“They are expecting legitimately large crowds given everyone have been in lockdown and it's the first major sale event since restrictions eased,” Sgt Clark said.

Chadstone’s owners Vicinity Centres opened a dedicated COVID-safe control room in late October to monitor and manage customer density at the centre in real-time.

It has also introduced a digital queuing system to allow shoppers to pre-book time at their favourite stores and not wait in long lines.

Vicinity chief executive Grant Kelley said dedicated COVID safety officers would be stationed at entrances, and other staff would work closely with police to ensure customers keep a healthy distance as they move around the centre.

“We recognise the important role we play in operating our centres in a new, COVID safe environment, and we want our customers, retailers, teams and contractors to do the right thing to help keep each other safe,” he said.

Chadstone centre manager Michael Whitehead urged shoppers to plan their visit and to arrive before 11am for the “most convenient” shopping experience.

“There’s no doubt customers are eager to start ticking off their Christmas shopping lists,” he said.

“Our priority is to ensure everyone who visits Chadstone is safe and our team is committed to ensuring social distancing is effective in every store and throughout the mall.”