Young St, Shannon Mall Frankston transformed by council crackdown
A local council crackdown on teens picking fights, spitting, swearing, vaping and abusing alcohol has “revolutionised” Frankston streets.
South East
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A blitz on bad behaviour is “transforming” Frankston as more than 100 people are busted smoking, vaping and boozing in the streets.
The local council has issued 140 warnings in the first week of a six week crackdown designed to tackle youth crime and anti social behaviour in Wells St, Shannon Mall, Young St and Station St areas.
Frankston Rapid Response Team members began ramping up patrols on May 9 and was now fining those caught breaking local laws after an education phase where warnings were issued.
The council crackdown came after traders revealed the vile acts being committed daily in Young St, Shannon Mall and nearby laneways.
Frankston councillor Glenn Aitken pushed for the blitz after shoppers and traders complained they were being forced to run the gauntlet of large groups of people spitting, swearing and fighting.
The security risks forced at least one trader to quit the industry and many others were planning to sell up and move out of Frankston.
Shannon Welsh, 22, to quit the hospitality industry earlier this year after being subjected to more than 60 violent incidents across three months, including armed robbery.
Mr Welsh said he would never return to hospitality after being threatened and attacked almost daily while working in a take away shop in Shannon Mall.
Mr Aitken said since the blitz in Frankston’s transport and a retail and fast food precinct had been “revolutionised”.
He said hot spots including Young St and Shannon Mall were now “normal, quiet streets”.