Nicholson St Mall traders forced to consider private security as violence and drug-fuelled chaos spiral out of control

Footscray traders say they are being forced to consider private security as escalating violence and drug-fuelled chaos grip Nicholson St Mall, turning the once-thriving shopping strip into a danger zone.

Footscray traders say they are being forced to consider private security as escalating violence and drug-fuelled chaos grip Nicholson St Mall.

Austin Knox Office Supply owner Roop Singh said Nicholson St Mall had become a “magnet for anti-social behaviour”.

“I’ve been running the business for so long, I’ve seen Footscray in all its elements but this is the worst we have seen,” he said.

“There’s a huge drug and alcohol problem, which results in homelessness and a lot of petty crime and anti-social behaviour in the mall.”

An elderly man bleeds from nose after getting assaulted at Nicholson St Mall. Picture: supplied.

A video obtained by the Herald Sun shows a woman hurling a beer keg into a shopfront, shattering the glass, before grabbing the shards and charging at bystanders, throwing them in their direction.

Moments later, a man tackles her to the ground.

Mr Singh said traders were already shutting up shop or reducing their hours due to the increasingly dangerous environment.

“Being a newsagency, traditionally, after school finishes I used to get a lot of kids coming and buying their coloured paper and pencils,” he said.

“But I’m not getting that kind of clientele anymore because families don’t want to come into the mall. The mall is something to be avoided.”

A man captured urinating in the fountain at Nicholson St Mall. Picture: supplied.

Mr Singh said despite police efforts, those causing trouble were quickly released back into the community because “laws were too soft”.

“Cops charge them, take our statements and go to the magistrate, but after two days they’re back here. We see the same faces here again,” he said.

“It’s just a joke — a waste of resources.”

Police make an arrest at Nicholson St Mall. Picture: supplied.

Mr Singh said vendors had resorted to hiring private security at the mall but said it was “very costly” to fork out their pockets.

“I’m paying my rates. I’m paying my other dues so I shouldn’t be paying for my own security,” he said.

“My garbage has to be collected by the council and so my safety also has to be looked after by them.

“At the moment, we are just moving ahead like headless chooks. We really don’t know what to do.”

A woman deficates publicly at Nicholson St Mall— just metres away from shopfronts. Picture: supplied.

Last week a police officer was attacked, disarmed and left unconscious after his own spray was used against him at the mall after a patron was “brutally assaulted”.

There is also an “unspoken rule”, shopkeepers say, that they don’t use their laptops or phones in the open because they will be stolen “in moments”.

Shoppers are also “too afraid” use their cards at ATMs and get cash out at the mall.

Top Dentist Footscray’s Charles said the situation was “horrible” with “blatant drug use” making the precinct unsafe.

“It’s very unwelcoming for the shoppers, children, and it’s obviously not good for the businesses,” he said.

“We’ve tried everything we can to make the place more welcoming, but we need more proactive help from council and police daily.”

Nicholson St Mall traders are being forced to consider private security as violence and drug-fuelled chaos spirals out of control. Picture: supplied.

Traders, he said, feared for “innocent shoppers” would be caught in the chaos.

“The local traders here obviously have learnt how to take care of themselves, but we make sure the bystanders, young children and elders (are safe),” he said.

“Nicholson St Mall is definitely the hot spot in the entire city of Maribyrnong.”

A used and uncapped syringe disposed metres away from children’s play equipment at Nicholson St Mall. Picture: supplied.

Charles said the growing number of vacant shops showed businesses were turning their backs on the troubled precinct.

“I’m hearing many of my neighbours and other retailers say, ‘look, when my lease finishes, I’m going to pack up and go. I can’t stand it anymore unless something gets done in this mall’,” he said.

“People have the right to come shop and feel safe. It’s very unfair they have to walk around and look behind their back.

“In 2025, you see people urinate anywhere, they scream and intimidate people — we’re in Melbourne, not in the Bronx.”

Nicholson St Mall traders forced to consider private security as violence and drug-fuelled chaos spiral out of control

Prominent community member Berhan Ahmed said the situation had become “embarrassing”.

“I have run out of words to say how bad it is. The people (at the mall) are experiencing many mental health and drug and alcohol problems, and with time it gets worse,” he said.

“But there are also criminals there … the mall has turned into a crime zone where violence is no longer shocking but expected.

“Local businesses are left wondering who will be the next victim, while authorities hold endless meetings with no real solutions. The community is trapped in a cycle of crime, while police struggle to maintain control.”

Mr Ahmed — who is also a professor at Melbourne University and Victoria University and chief executive of Africause, a not-for-profit for African-Australian youth facing challenges — said authorities needed to step up.

“Authorities have been meeting for more than two years, but there’s no end to it. It’s time for action,” he said.

Nicholson St Mall traders forced to consider private security as violence and drug-fuelled chaos spiral out of control

Maribyrnong local area commander acting inspector Chloe Hayward said Nicholson St was a “priority area” with daily patrols conducted in the Footscray CBD and continued engagement with traders.

“How safe people feel is incredibly important to us and we will respond to any reports of criminal activity or antisocial behaviour,” she said.

“On top of daily patrols, we have also conducted several highly visible operations in the area with more planned very soon.

“We also work closely with local support services to ensure anyone who may be experiencing issues has access to the essential services they need, whether it be drug and alcohol support, mental health intervention or a range of other things.”

Maribyrnong city council mayor Pradeep Tiwari said safety was a “high priority” for council which was working with police.

“Footscray is not immune to the challenges other areas face with cost of living and mental health issues for vulnerable people,” he said.

“Council understands the impact homelessness and addiction can have on the broader community, including small businesses and social carers,” he said.

“(We) would welcome the opportunity to work with the state government to accelerate their planning for central Footscray, which they have they have identified as a priority precinct.”