Dandenong crime: police boost patrols at ‘high risk’ areas after spike in robberies
Police have boosted patrols in Dandenong after a spike in robberies as the city’s top cop admitted opportunistic crimes are ‘hard to police’. Here are some tips on how to stay out of harm’s way.
South East
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An increase in robberies in Greater Dandenong has prompted police to step up patrols in “high risk community locations”.
But the city’s top cop has warned the crimes are “hard to police”.
Greater Dandenong police Acting Inspector Nathan Prowd said the robberies were “often opportunistic crimes” that could “be difficult to police”.
“People have every right to carry their valuables without fear of being robbed,” he said.
“However, the sad reality is there has been a slight increase in robberies across the state and in Dandenong.
“If practical, we recommend people carry their valuables in their front pocket and keep them out of sight to reduce the opportunistic nature of this crime.”
The warning comes after three unrelated violent incidents in the past two weeks.
A man, 23, was robbed on Lawn Rd near Sandown railway station in Noble Park about 9.30pm on June 16.
He was grabbed from behind by two offenders of African appearance, who stole his wallet and iPhone.
Dandenong Crime Unit detective Senior Constable Steve Woodhouse said customers of a nearby Lightwood Rd shisha bar might have witnessed the incident or know who was involved.
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed by two females while walking along the Dandenong Creek footpath near Webster St in Dandenong about 8.50pm on June 20.
An attacker stole cash and an iPhone from the victim before pushing her to the ground.
The victim was uninjured but was able to get a good look at her attackers.
The first woman was described as African, 20, and about 175cm tall with short natural black curly hair. She was wearing a dark blue puffer jacket and black jeans.
The second woman was of African appearance, aged about 20, about 177cm tall and slim with dark shoulder-length hair with blended blonde tips. She was wearing an Adidas jumper and blue skinny jeans.
Also, a 39-year-old man was forced to hide in a Dandenong 7-Eleven after he was threatened by a knife-wielding member of an African gang.
The victim was walking along Stud Rd about 12.25am on June 24 when he was approached by four men who attempted to swipe his phone.
He ran away but was chased by two offenders who tried to stop him.
The man realised one of the attackers was brandishing a knife so he bolted for the nearby convenience store before the offenders fled.
Insp Prowd said young people were over represented as victims and perpetrators in such crimes.
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“Police in the southeastern suburbs have stepped up patrols in high risk community locations to deter this type of offending,” he said.
“We know the impact this type of offending has on innocent victims going about their daily business.”
Anyone who has information about a robbery is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or lodge a confidential report to crimestoppersvic.com.au