Collins St ram raid: Authorities discuss more protection for shops
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor has lashed out at those behind the latest Collins St ram raid, declaring the attacks ‘can’t be tolerated’ as authorities address growing safety concerns.
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Known for luxury brands and high-end shopping, Collins St has been rocked by a string of ram raids, prompting authorities to consider a rethink on how they can keep Melbourne safe for shoppers and traders.
Monday morning’s ram raid marked the fourth time in less than a year that this has happened on the iconic street.
The latest high-end target was the Dior store — smashed open by a ute before armed men entered the store and filled wheelie bins with luxury items including handbags.
The Collins Street Precinct Group trader association represents the global brands and businesses on the iconic street and said they are “discussing a range of options” to bring safety back to the city.
“(The group) is continuing to work collaboratively with both the City of Melbourne and Victoria Police to ensure that the city remains a safe place to visit,” a spokesperson said.
“We are discussing a range of options with them to assist in protecting our retailers and shoppers from acts such as this.”
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said authorities are looking to provide “more protection” for the stores and she believed reduced traffic in the city might be leaving businesses vulnerable to attack.
“That sort of criminal activity can’t be tolerated. It is frustrating. And we’ll look to VicPol to increase their efforts to help us with safety in the city,” she said.
“Building owners and business owners have already been in discussions with us about other measures that could continue to add to that sense of the high-end shopping experience, but provide more protection for those shops.
“There’s no doubt that the stats tell us that the busier our city streets, the safer it becomes. “And as I said, people bring safety, so it may be an element.”
Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith said it is likely someone saw something or knows more about the cars used in the string of ram raid robberies.
“These types of crimes are impossible to carry out in isolation – there will be other people who know something,” she said.
“With these ram raids there might be people who acquired the vehicles and others involved in offloading the stolen goods. There are eyes and ears everywhere.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Victoria Police were contacted by The Melbourne City News for comment but were unable to provide a response because an investigation is currently underway.
TIMELINE: THE HIGH-END SHOPS TARGETED ON COLLINS ST
March 1, Dior
This morning the luxury Dior store on Collins St was smashed open by thugs in a white 4WD ute about 3.20am.
The ute reversed into the glass windows, causing them to shatter, before two balaclava-clad men entered the store with a crowbar and yellow wheelie bins.
The fashion criminals loaded the bins with luxury items including handbags before fleeing the scene.
February 24, Bottega Veneta
Less than one week ago Italian fashion house, Bottega Veneta, was raided by thieves about 4.15am with the front door and window of the building severely damaged.
February 2, Berluti
A thief with a taste for luxury goods stole an estimated $100,000 worth of designer handbags from Berluti in another early morning Collins St ram at 4.30am.
May 26, 2020, Miss Louise
On May 26, last year a pair of crooks ploughed into the front of iconic designer shop Miss Louise, also on Collins St.
The duo crashed through the front of the store in a ute before stealing valuable items.
Pricey designer items are highly sought after and detectives monitor social media platforms and second-hand websites for the crop of items that have been stolen.
March 2020, Le Style
In March last year, a man used a fishing rod to allegedly steal a shiny Versace necklace from a display at a Melbourne designer store.
The 43-year-old allegedly stole a gold necklace off a fashion mannequin in the Le Style boutique window on Little Collins St.
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