Acland St traders fear ‘someone will get killed’ as crime and violence continue to escalate

St Kilda traders and locals say crime and violence is the “worst they’ve ever seen” after a five-year-old was stroked and verbally harassed by a drug-affected man.

Used needles, clothing and other trash are strewn throughout Acland St daily

Fearful St Kilda residents say they are in the middle of a crime surge after the sickening assault of a young girl on a busy street.

On Monday, a five-year-old girl was stroked on the face and verbally harassed by a drug-affected man on Acland St

Witnesses to the incident said police attended and moved the man away from the area — however the man was not charged

The girl’s outraged father said the incident had left his daughter terrified.

“Now she’s scared to jump on the trampoline in our yard, she’s afraid he can see her,” he said.

“The police told me the man has mental health issues, but what about the mental health of my daughter?”

The Herald Sun spoke to traders who say they “live in fear” as drug-fuelled crime makes part of the suburb a no-go zone.

Used and dirty syringes are a common feature in the public spaces at Acland St, according to locals and traders. Picture: supplied.

The girl’s father, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had contacted the council “weeks ago” regarding the escalation of anti-social behaviour.

“There has been CCTV installed in the area, but it does nothing – the tram drivers aren’t even safe to use the toilets at the end of the tramline,” he said.

“The cameras barely cover anything – they only film a limited view of Barkly St and they haven’t been maintained. How can police do anything with unclear footage?”

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the investigation into the incident was ongoing, and encouraged any witnesses or CCTV footage to be directed to Crimestoppers.

Acland St retail worker Ben said he didn’t believe CCTV had any affect on anti-social behaviour.

“These people just don’t care,” he said.

“The CCTV installation hasn’t decreased the incidents of fights or drug-abuse on the street.”

Ben said he had called the police “at least six times” in the last fortnight.

“I live on Fitzroy St and walk to work everyday and anti-social behaviour is everywhere,” he said

“Needles are all over the ground, sometimes people are even holding weapons, knives or scissors usually, it’s really unsafe.”

Cellarbrations manager Mathew said it was only a matter of time before someone was killed.

Eve Healthy Bites and Tea cafe was targeted on Tuesday night by a woman previously booted out for trying to shoplift.

“Whether it’s a business owner or one of these people causing trouble, someone is going to get killed unless something changes,” he said.

“Even when we call the police nobody comes.”

On Tuesday night, kiosk cafe Eve Healthy Bites and Tea – inside the Acland Court Shopping Centre – was the latest target of violence.

A shoplifter who had been ejected from the bottle took their anger out on a glass display, smashing a window leaving shards of broken glass across the floor.

Mathew said such incidents were becoming a nightly occurrence.

Violent attacks on public spaces and people are becoming a common occurrence for the Acland St community.

“My staff walk to work in their uniforms and get abused outside,” he said.

“If I had a daughter I would be telling her to be inside by 7.30pm. It’s terrifying.”

He said he was concerned about the level of crime and violence as summer approaches.

“We’ve seen more theft and crime this winter than we normally see in summer,” he said.

“As the weather gets warmer it’s only going to get worse.”

These concerns come after Fitzroy St traders and residents fought with the City of Port Phillip Council over a proposal to install public seating along the troubled strip.

In July, community members turned out in droves to oppose the plan, as CCTV showed multiple incidents of loitering, drug use and people carrying weapons.

A CCTV image on Fitzroy St in July.

Port Phillip police have since conducted a four-week operation along Fitzroy St, targeting anti-social behaviour and street-level drug dealing.

A spokesperson from Victoria Police said the operation resulted in multiple arrests and charges being laid with the majority of charges relating to alleged drug trafficking, car thefts, weapons possession and burglary.

Of the arrests, 10 people have been ordered to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on various dates throughout October.

“The latest crime data shows overall crime in Fitzroy St to be down 60 per cent from 2015 levels.” the spokesperson said.

A trader at Fitzroy St in St Kilda found an axe left outside their store.

St Kilda police Seargent Peter Brezing said despite the drop in crime, police weren’t “resting on their laurels”.

“We know that drug-related offending is of concern to residents and retailers, and this crime type continues to be a focus for local police,” he said.

“We want the community to know we are listening to their concerns and that we’re doing something about it through these dedicated local operations.”

Sergeant Brezing said police were “always working together with the community to improve the safety in the area”.

All traders on Acland St agreed that heightened police presence was one solution that had worked in reducing criminal activity.

“I personally think the cops should have a permanent beat down Acland St,” Mathew said.

“I don’t think it will happen but it definitely would help.”

City of Port Phillip council has been a heavy spender on security in the past, with a council report showing the annual spend on security went from $1.25m in 2018 to $2m the following year.

The documents do not detail where the extra security has been allocated and acting chief executive Brian Tee denied the employment of permanent private security guards.

Fitzroy St traders documented anti-social behaviour and discarded drug paraphernalia outside businesses, despite extra police operations on the strip.

“We do occasionally hire security guards if we believe they may be needed, such as if a “hot topic” is being discussed at a council meeting,” he said.

One resident said they had “never seen anyone from council having lunch down at Acland St or Fitzroy St”.

“It’s no wonder why with all this activity going on. I’d love to know what the security spend has gone towards.”

Mr Tee said the council “empathised with traders who are experiencing crime and anti-social behaviour”, but said it was a police issue.

“Only the police have the training, equipment and legislative powers to deal with crime,” he said.

“We are advocating for ongoing joint patrols with our local law officers, including in Acland St and Fitzroy St and increased police resources to respond to calls.”