Shopping centre crime: Northland in Preston, Eastland in Ringwood record most offences

From assaults to thefts, new figures reveal which Melbourne shopping centres have the most crime.

Northland Shopping Centre recorded the most criminal incidents of any Melbourne shopping centre between April 2020 -March 2021. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Northland Shopping Centre recorded the most criminal incidents of any Melbourne shopping centre in the past year, new figures reveal.

Data from the Crime Statistics Agency reveal the Preston centre recorded 494 incidents between April 2020 and March 2021.

These included 30 crimes against the person, which can include assault related offences, 357 property and deception offences and 23 drug offences.

But the overall amount of crime at Northland and all Melbourne shopping centres dropped significantly in the past year compared to the previous five years, thanks to Covid limiting people’s movements.

Eastland in Ringwood recorded the second highest number of incidents with 324 between April 2020 and March 2021, followed by Bayside Frankston (315), Highpoint Shopping Centre (287), Westfield Fountain Gate (285) and Westfield Southland (274).

Eastland recorded the most crimes against the person, with 43, followed by Fountain Gate and Craigieburn Central which each recorded 39.

Leader reported last year brutal attacks had become so frequent at Fountain Gate, Victoria Police was forced to deploy patrols on horseback around the venue.

Police responding to an incident at Westfield Fountain Gate last year. Picture: David Geraghty

And a Ringwood man is facing 26 charges after he was arrested by an eagle-eyed detective at Eastland earlier in the year.

Maroondah criminal investigation unit senior detective Paul Cosgrove said the 26-year-old man was arrested on Monday, May 24 and had been charged with 26 offences, the bulk of which related to obtaining property by deception.

A man was arrested following two alleged late-night stabbings as partygoers left Westfield Knox earlier in the year.

Police on patrol near Eastland. Picture: Kiel Egging.

According to a post on the Eyewatch – Knox Police Service Area Facebook page, the alleged incident happened outside a licensed venue at the Wantirna South shopping centre at 1.30am on Saturday, April 18.

Darebin Inspector Tom Ebinger said crime at shopping centres had remained relatively stable over the past few years, however there was a significant decrease in the past year ending March 2020.

“In Preston, crime at shopping centres decreased by 40 per cent in the last year,” Insp Ebinger said.

“The highest category for offences detected at shopping centre locations in Preston is property and deception offences, encompassing over 70 per cent of all offending.

“There are several driving factors that are behind these offences, one being the technological advances in the way people conduct financial transactions – including the use of ‘tap and go’ payments.”

He said local police regularly patrolled shopping centres and other busy community locations, to provide reassurance with a focus on the prevention and detection of crime.

Northland owners Vicinity Centres said the safety, security and wellbeing of its customers, retailers, team and the community was always its top priority.

“Vicinity Centres has an industry-leading intelligence platform which our team uses to gather data and monitor any trends in incidents, and areas of concern, which enables us to prepare and respond to activity in line with customer, retailer and community expectations,” a Vicinity Centres spokesperson said.

“We have security teams who patrol our centres throughout the day and night, and an extensive network of CCTV which supports our teams and police.”

Scentre Group regional manager centre experience Charlie Rimmer said the safety and security of its customers, retail partners and employees remained its highest priority.

“Our Westfield centres are community hubs. Each centre has an annual Community Plan that sets out community and cultural initiatives designed to foster greater connection amongst our customers as well as highlight and support community challenges – often by linking people to relevant community services or by getting involved in local programs,” he said.

CRIMES AT SHOPPING CENTRES BY SUBURB FROM APRIL 2020 TO MARCH 2021

Northland, Preston

494

Eastland, Ringwood

324

Bayside Frankston

315

Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong

287

Westfield Fountain Gate, Narre Warren

285

Westfield Southland, Cheltenham

274

Westfield Geelong

245

Westfield Knox, Wantirna South

237

Westfield Doncaster

193

Craigieburn Central

161

The Glen, Glen Waverley

131

Chadstone Shopping Centre

73

*Includes crimes against the person, property and deception offences, drug offences, public order and security offences and justice procedures offences.