Melbourne beach crime: Rosebud, St Kilda, Frankston, Mordialloc summer crime hotspots

A popular Melbourne holiday destination has been revealed as a summer crime hotspot as police brace for a crackdown.

Beaches across the Mornington Peninsula have recorded the most crime between October-March over the past five years. Pictured is mess left by drunks at Mt Martha last month. Picture: Supplied

Our most crime-free summer beaches can be revealed, with Flinders and South Melbourne among the safest in the state.

A Saturday Herald Sun analysis of Crime Statistics Agency data shows Balnarring, Bonbeach, Carrum, Crib Point, Fingal, Flinders, Point Leo, South Melbourne and Point Cook all recorded zero crimes between October last year and March.

Rosebud and St Kilda came in as the bay’s summer beach crime hot spots.

Exclusive data revealed Rosebud foreshore recorded 55 crimes, ahead of St Kilda (47) Frankston (34) and Mordialloc (26).

Property and deception offences were rife at Rosebud (39 crimes) St Kilda (25) and Mordialloc (16) while crimes against the person dominated incidents in Frankston (18), according to Crime Statistics Agency.

The figures, which include incidents at marinas, piers and beachfront parks, follow a spate of anti-social incidents across the bay in recent weeks.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told the Leader officers would be honing in underage drinkers and issuing fines to people smoking and drinking in public as the temperature heats up.

She said unruly patrons inside bars, restaurants and accommodation would also be targeted.

“(Police and councils) will not hesitate to issue a fine to anyone caught breaking these rules,” the woman said.

“Property and deception offences also account for between 70 per cent and 60 per cent of all crimes at Rosebud and St Kilda.

“These kind of offences often relate to instances where for example, people have left their wallet on the sand, only for their credit card to be unknowingly used at the nearest convenience store shortly afterwards with each illegal transaction made counted as a separate offence.”

Rosebud crime skyrocketed by more than 75 per cent compared to the year prior, amid a 20 per cent jump across the entire Peninsula.

There was a 19 per cent jump in Kingston, next to Frankston on 27 per cent — while Port Phillip dropped by 30 per cent.

The Peninsula also took the dubious honour of racking up the most crime between October and March over the past five years (660 offences) in front of Port Phillip (444) Kingston (211) Frankston (180) Hobson’s Bay (158) Bayside (145) and Wyndham (11).

Behind Rosebud, crime was also high on the Peninsula’s Rye beach with 23 offences between October last year to March, followed by Mt Martha (20).

The bay’s crime-free beaches between October last year and March were Kingston’s Bonbeach and Carrum, the Peninsula’s Balnarring, Crib Point, Fingal, Flinders, Pt Leo and Somers, Port Phillip’s South Melbourne and Wyndham’s Point Cook.

Last month, teens from as far away as Dandenong organised “noisy, destructive” underage parties on the Peninsula sand, leaving a huge mess for fuming morning walkers.

Residents uncovered piles of trash and smashed bottles around beach boxes at Mt Martha beach.

In one instance, stairs from a boat shed were used to fuel a bonfire.

Mornington Acting Sergeant Scott MacLean told the Leader underage beach parties were an annual problem but gatherings had started earlier this year as teens let off steam post lockdown.

“That’s been compounded by the fact that there’s nothing organised for young people, including no official schoolies weeks event,” he said on November 23.

Mornington Peninsula council’s environment protection manager John Rankine did not comment on crime at Rosebud but said the group would work with police heading into New Year’s Eve.

Victoria Police’s summer crackdown follows the tragic death of Langwarrin carpenter Cam Smith, 26, who was allegedly stabbed to death at Seaford train station, less than 200m from the foreshore on November 25.

Teenager Jack Ledlin, of Somers, was charged with Mr Smith’s murder and remains in custody.

Mr Smith’s death came less than a fortnight after concerned Seaford residents told the Leader they had been “forced off” their foreshore as rowdy beachgoers caused chaos on hot days.

Police were called to the troubled beach on November 19 as dozens of drunks scuffled, swore and yelled in front of families, including young children.

That incident came after an officer was allegedly assaulted when boozed-up thugs started fighting on November 10.

Frankston Mayor Kris Bolam said council had plans to expand the CCTV network along Seaford foreshore.

“Bylaw officers will also be patrolling in peak periods through summer to support police,” he said.

The Seaford community was left reeling following the shocking death of Cam Smith. Picture: Daniel Pockett

In Kingston on November 15, a Chelsea tradie was allegedly kicked, punched and left with a concussion after he was allegedly set upon by a group of thugs at the beachfront Victory Park.

A large group of attackers split the man from his friend during the horrifying one minute ordeal.

Mayor Steve Staikos said new CCTV had recently been installed at Mordialloc and Carrum lifesaving clubs, with existing cameras updated along all foreshores.

“We also want to remind the community that many of our popular foreshore areas are designated 24-hour alcohol free zones,” he said.

On November 20, dramatic scenes unfolded at St Kilda beach as thousands of partygoers sparked chaos lighting flares, with one maskless man allegedly punching and biting police during a violent scuffle.

It came after hundreds of people descended on the sand beach watched by a heavy police presence on November 15.

Partygoers gathered in the popular party precinct to drink and dance as the temperature soared, with police and PSOs forming a line to move on some of the revellers.

Police were called in to tackle huge crowds on St Kilda beach on November 15. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford said council officers would alert police if drunks refused to tip out their alcohol.

“(We will) detect and deter those beachgoers choosing to behave badly in our backyard,” she said.

“Council officers also look for amenity concerns, such as loud music and illegal parking, during their regular patrols and can issue fines for breaches.”

The Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers would be out in force along with the horseback, public order response and water police teams as Operation Summersafe continues.

“ … our message to those looking to engage in anti-social or disruptive behaviour is simple – it will not be tolerated and you will be held accountable for any actions that negatively impact other members of the community,” she said.