Ringwood Square Shopping Centre upgrading security amid shoppers, traders’ concerns over crime

SECURITY at Ringwood Square Shopping Centre will be boosted after complaints of anti-social behaviour and at least two assaults including a shopper being king-hit.

Safety measures at Ringwood Square Shopping Centre will be beefed up amid crime concerns.

SECURITY at Ringwood Square Shopping Centre will be boosted after complaints of anti-social behaviour and at least two assaults including a shopper being king-hit.

Shoppers, traders and security staff have expressed concerns to Maroondah Leader about worsening crime and threatening behaviour at the Maroondah Highway centre.

There have been two alleged assaults at the shopping centre in as many months, with a shopper allegedly king-hit outside Coles and a security guard allegedly attacked at a Tattslotto kiosk.

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Police have also been accused of poor response times despite the centre’s location five minutes from Ringwood police station.
It’s understood the centre has operated with one security guard from 4.30pm daily.

But in a win for shoppers and traders, Ringwood Square spokeswoman Sharon Zhang said the centre was increasing its resources following recent feedback.
“Centre management takes the security of its customers and staff very seriously and we do our best to ensure that shoppers can enjoy a safe and comforting environment free of anti-social or illegal behaviour,” Ms Zhang said.

Mitcham’s Tony Carson, who visits Ringwood Square up to five times a week, said he would feel safer shopping at the centre with increased security.

“There’s been people sitting around the door drinking, beggars asking you for money, it’s occasionally made me feel uncomfortable,” he said.

Croydon’s Daniel Veling also welcomed the additional resources but said he had “never felt unsafe here or seen anything dodgy”.

A security guard, who declined to be named, said he believed there were several stores attracting “some of the unsavoury characters of society”.

“I’ve been doing security since 2008 and this is the first time I have felt unsafe in my workplace,” the guard said.

Ringwood police Senior Sergeant Colin Andrews said officers were investigating the alleged assaults.

Sen-Sgt Andrews said officers were mobile while on shift and their response times varied according to their workload and location.

“Ringwood and other units are tasked to patrol the area and do so when possible,” he said.
Sen-Sgt Andrews said crime prevention officers “maintain ongoing relationships with businesses and traders and will continue to do so” at the centre.

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