Melbourne shopping centres plagued by theft, anti-social behaviour
Teen gangs, thefts, anti-social behaviour — it’s all happening at some of Melbourne’s most popular retail precincts. But Highpoint is the latest to be plagued by crime, as thieves raid stores for clothes, food, makeup and jewellery.
South East
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Highpoint Shopping Centre is the latest Melbourne retail spot to be hit by crime, with staff at several stores reporting thieves taking what they want, and threatening people who try to stop them.
And it’s just the latest in a long list of problems plaguing some of Melbourne’s most popular retail precincts:
HIGHPOINT
Staff at Highpoint Shopping Centre say they are tormented every week by brazen thieves stealing clothes, food, make up and jewellery.
Staff at a popular makeup store said every few weeks they saw the same group of women aged in their early 20s casually take “whatever they want”.
“It’s a massive problem. They come in and split up and just take what they want and leave. They don’t even try to hide it,” a staff member said.
Employees had tried standing up to the women but stopped after being threatened.
Staff at five clothing stores the Leader talked to said theft was a continuing problem at the shopping centre, especially on Thursday nights with late trading hours.
“Security don’t do anything. I call them and they come half an hour later,” a General Pants staff member said.
A Superdry employee said there was “a sh**load” of theft happening in their store.
“Especially during school holidays. Young girls are sneaky, boys have big bags and just take jackets and run,” she said.
Highpoint centre manager Ryan Ling said the safety and security of visitors was “of the utmost priority to Highpoint centre management”.
“Individuals who breach Highpoint’s conditions of entry can be banned from entering the centre … individuals who fail to comply to banning notices can be charged by Police with trespass,” he said.
But one employee said banning people from the centre did not appear to be working because “they just come back”.
Mr Ling said management had “a very close working relationship with Victoria Police” who had a regular presence in the centre.
“Our security team can alert retailers of any potential suspicious activity or incidents that can allow them to implement their own security measures,” he said.
“We have received very positive feedback from retailers across Highpoint on our efforts to work with them in improving security within the centre.”
FRANKSTON
Frankston’s CBD is fast becoming a ghost town as feral youths and children as young as 12 wreak havoc and drive away shoppers, according to fed-up traders.
Business operators claim frequent drinking, fighting and swearing in the streets is getting out of control.
Store owner Natalie Waterworth said: “They are a nightmare — they’re just lawless.”
“They have the attitude that authorities will give them a slap on the wrist and tell them to go home.”
Ms Waterworth said some viewed being placed in a police van as a “badge of honour”.
She said the youths’ behaviour was frightening.
Traders said authorities had put the issue in the “too-hard basket”.
“People feel intimidated by them — the swearing, drinking and carrying on,” a trader, who didn’t want to be named, said.
“These kids need somewhere to go and guidance.”
Frankston Traders’ Association president John Billing said it was essential traders, staff and shoppers felt safe, and more police patrols were essential.
“Many of these youths need guidance, support and help to find their calling in life,” he said.
“We want to see more police patrolling Frankston’s CBD, walking irregular routes to increase the element of surprise,” he said.
“We want everyone to feel safe and welcome when they come to Frankston and not be subjected to offensive language, intimidating or unlawful behaviour.
“There hasn’t been enough presence to deter anyone who may be engaging in unlawful or unwelcoming behaviour.”
Frankston councillor Steve Toms recently convened a meeting between traders and council officials to discuss the problem.
“We are seeing an attitude from young people who don’t have anything better to do with their time than hang around Frankston and create mayhem and havoc,” he said.
“It’s unacceptable and not what our city centre should be about.”
The traders said more police patrols, particularly in the Station St Mall area, were desperately needed.
Senior Sergeant Warren Francis-Pester, of Frankston Police, said officers were working with the council and businesses.
“We task people to work there — we are working with the council and traders to ensure public order exists there,” he said.
Frankston Senior Sergeant Phil Hulley said there had been an increase in uniformed and plain-clothed police in the city’s transit precinct.
FOUNTAIN GATE
Police on horseback are roaming Westfield Fountain Gate after a spate of shocking crimes at the centre including another violent brawl on Friday night.
In the latest incident to shock traders and shoppers, an alleged fight between a group of six people broke out at 7pm outside the Narre Warren shopping centre.
A Victoria Police spokesman said an 18-year-old Cranbourne man had been arrested and charged with affray and theft.
Police also allege the teen had stolen alcohol from a store just prior to the brawl.
He has been bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on July 3.
Police say the investigation remained ongoing.
Business owners last month revealed they were helpless to respond when groups of 6-12 teens storm their stores, steal goods, run amok and thrown things around.
While traders and shoppers said they were “relieved” to see police on horseback, they’re calling for additional measures including a designated police hub at the centre.
Manic Fitness owner Dean Burnell said he was pleased to see extra police.
“I’ve seen police on horses and I’ve also noticed the Public Order Response team; it’s good to see,” he said.
“A police station inside or just outside the centre would definitely help.”
Shopper Vicky Methven agreed a police hub would make people feel safer.
La Trobe federal MP Jason Wood said while increased patrols were helpful, it was a “bandaid fix”.
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“The real issue here is the lack of jobs and training for these troubled youths … that’s what needs to be addressed,” he said.
The Leader understands centre management will hold a staff meeting next month to address safety.
Westfield Fountain Gate centre manager Cathy Main said the team met regularly police, traders and other community groups to help provide “a safer and more enjoyable experience for our customers, retailers and employees.”
Victoria Police local area commander Inspector Don Brown said there was no plan for a permanent hub at Fountain Gate, but he was reviewing police numbers, levels of offending and times when officers were required.
“Police will not tolerate any criminal or anti-social behaviour at the Fountain Gate shopping centre and the community can expect to see an increased police presence in the area,” he said.
HEIDELBERG WEST
A shop owner in a notoriously troubled Heidelberg West shopping strip has been forced to put his bakery on the market after barely scraping by, making just $30 a day.
Fazel Palizian blames his Moresby Court store’s financial struggles on its location, directly opposite the Olympic Village Green Park and leisure centre.
“Everyone is scared to come here; people drinking, drug problems and fighting, the area needs to improve,” Mr Palizian said.
He has lived in Heidelberg West for 18 years with his wife and four children and has seen the area slowly improve, but not enough to keep his business afloat.
“I don’t want to sell but I’m not making any money, I can’t afford to pay for labour, I make $30 to $40 a day.”
Mr Palizian bought the property in 2013 for $185,000 and created Mybake, a small bakery selling Middle Eastern breads and sweets.
When the Heidelberg Leader visited the shopping strip it found most of the stores were closed — only the bottle shop was doing a brisk trade.
“This is a terrible area, police try to help but they can’t do much, we need security,” Mr Palizian said.
Four doors down, Pardis Ashkamnia owns Fish n Burger Joint with her sister.
They bought the property two months ago and already call it the biggest mistake of their lives.
“We didn’t know about the area, it’s terrible, no one wants to buy anything, they only come here for alcohol,” she said.
She makes less than $100 on a good day, saying customers are scared by people loitering outside her store, drinking and asking for free food.
Google reviews of the area were not positive. Michael Prins said he would not recommend anyone walk alone in the area.
“I witnessed a few drug deals taking place in these streets, stay away unless you have to be there,” Mr Prins said.
Craig Bourke said: “Not a nice place, I am glad I know to avoid this suburb.”
Thirteen Moresby Court is open to expressions of interest, with offers starting at $360,000.
RINGWOOD
Shopper safety fears are ongoing at Ringwood’s Eastland and Ringwood Square shopping centres.
In April, a reader contacted Maroondah Leader concerned about security officers’ response to drug-affected people loitering in an Eastland carpark near the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court.
There has also been occasional concerns about the behaviour of youths gathering on the steps at Ringwood railway station opposite the centre.
Eastland general manager Greg Balmforth has previously stressed security and shopper safety is of paramount importance to the centre.
“We take the safety and security of our Eastland community very seriously, and Eastland is patrolled by a security team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in addition to an extensive CCTV network,” he said.
Nearby, Ringwood Square Shopping Centre’s atmosphere has been hampered by homeless people lying outside its Coles entrance.
It prompted centre management to install bike racks to stop them sitting there, as well as ‘no begging’ signs.
Ringwood Square previously had only one security guard patrolling from 4.30pm.
But it introduced daytime security patrols this year following shopper and trader concerns, which Maroondah Leader understands has improved the situation.