Westfield Fountain Gate crime wave spurs call for better security
Gang violence at Westfield Fountain Gate is so bad that thousands of customers are avoiding the precinct, a Leader poll has revealed. But despite doubts about safety, police say they patrol and respond to incidents at the centre.
South East
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Westfield Fountain Gate traders are too terrified to try and stop gangs of teens raiding their shops and wreaking havoc through the centre.
Business owners have told the Leader they are helpless to respond when groups of 6-12 teens storm their stores, steal goods, run amok and thrown things around.
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Victims say the Narre Warren shopping precinct is the most unsafe in Melbourne after a spate of crimes including violent attacks and a series of brazen thefts by teenagers.
And more than 3000 people have so far voted in a Leader poll, with 74 per cent saying the violence kept them from shopping at the centre.
The Leader visited the centre on Thursday and spoke to several traders who said their businesses had been “ransacked by gangs”.
One cafe worker said his shop had been raided by a group of young teens.
“They literally went through and flipped up all the tables and chairs and I was too scared to do anything as we were afraid of what will happen.”
A woman, who asked not to be named, told the Leader her 14-year-old son was allegedly attacked and robbed by six teens at the centre’s food court on Friday, April 11.
“One of his friends was asked by the gang to hand over his jacket or he’d be stabbed. The boys were then told they would be bashed if they didn’t hand over all of their cash,” she said.
The mother said she was furious at how security and centre management dealt with the issue.
“Security didn’t call me to let me know about the incident and what’s worse is I found the boys hiding by themselves behind a parked car near Krispy Kreme.
“When I went to the police station later that evening I also learned they (police) weren’t called to the centre after the incident, which is shocking.”
She said her son was now too afraid now to go back to the centre.
“This has really become Melbourne’s most unsafe centre and security need to do more to protect shoppers.”
Another mother told the Leader her son was also attacked at the centre two hours later that night.
The Leader has seen several reports on the Facebook group Casey Crime Page about incidents at the centre, including a woman attacked by six teenage girls of African appearance on April 20, while security looked on.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Kelly Grindley said a 16-year-old Berwick boy had been charged following an alleged incident earlier this month.
“The boy was arrested and charged with robbery. He is expected to face a children’s court at a later date,” Ms Grindley said.
Acting Inspector Dean Grande said Casey police regularly patrolled the shopping precinct.
“Police from Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Endeavour Hills regularly patrol the shopping centre with more serious offences followed up by detectives from Casey crime investigation unit,” Acting Insp Grande said.
He said police had a strong partnership with centre management and would not disclose police numbers patrolling the centre due to operational safety and security reasons.
“Police address a variety of incidents including crime against person and property.”
A Scentre Group spokeswoman said the safety of customers, retailers and employees was always the centre’s priority.
“As a social hub and meeting point in the local community, Westfield Fountain Gate strives to ensure all our customers feel welcome, comfortable and safe when visiting,” the spokeswoman said.
“Every situation is different and our experienced teams make decisions on how to manage situations on a case-by-case basis — always with the safety of our customers in mind.”
She said the centre worked closely with local authorities, including police and emergency services as needed.