Thomas St traders in Dandenong too scared to work as squatters wreak havoc
Dandenong business owners say they are “working in fear” as violent squatters continue to plague their businesses.
South East
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Dandenong traders say they are fed-up with a group of boozed-up and violent squatters who continue to run amok outside their businesses.
The Leader spoke to several business owners on Thomas St, Dandenong who say they are fearful of a group of 20 squatters who continue to take drugs and drink excessive amounts of alcohol behind their shops.
It’s understood the group have been squatting in the area for more than a year, but have become more violent and anti-social in the past month.
One trader, who was too scared to be named after being threatened by the group, said he was told “he would be killed with a gun” by one of the men.
“We are very scared, we are working in fear,” the trader said.
“They are urinating, smashing alcohol bottles everywhere – we are too scared to go outside our shops.”
The trader said he had called the police dozens of times in the past year.
“I’m calling the police everyday, we have had enough. It’s dirtier than a toilet when you go at the back.”
Another trader, who also asked not to be named, said she had felt “too unsafe” to park her car at the back of her shop.
“They’ve been sleeping there from the morning until night and my customers feel unsafe. We shouldn’t have to feel this way, something needs to be done about these men,” she said.
“They fight at the back, they throw bottles – even one of my customers that walked through the alley way said she was terrified as the men followed her.”
When the Leader visited the precinct and approached the men, they became aggressive and said “go away now”.
A man and a woman, who both appeared to be heavily intoxicated, were also seen leaving the alley way stumbling onto Thomas St, while shocked traders looked on.
Councillor Tim Dark, who has seen the violence and anti-social behaviour unfold for the past month, said he was forced to call the police and ambulance last week after three heavily intoxicated men were seen passed out over two days.
“There’s been a significant amount of people passing out or left unconscious due to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and taking drugs,” Cr Dark said.
“There’s been people camping and living in the rear carport, traders are scared and feel there needs to be more police patrols. I have raised this with the council and something needs to be done urgently.”
Greater Dandenong Local Area Commander Inspector Mark Langhorn said police in Dandenong were aware of a number of incidents which had occurred involving those experiencing homelessness.
“We are working closely with the local council and housing providers to address rough sleeping and support those experiencing homelessness in the Dandenong community,” Insp Langhorn said.
“Homelessness is a complex issue and the priority for Victoria Police is to link people who are in need of food, shelter and health care to care providers.”
“Local police conduct regular proactive patrols in the Greater Dandenong Police Service Area (PSA) which includes Robinson and Thomas streets, as well as the surrounding areas. We are aware this is a busy area and task our officers to patrol accordingly.”
A Greater Dandenong Council spokeswoman said the council was concerned about any anti-social behaviour and had initiated contact with the relevant agencies and would work closely with Victoria Police and the private landowners.