Lord Mayor Robert Doyle’s home vandalised by activists
LORD Mayor Robert Doyle says he may have to move house to keep his family safe after activists paint-bombed his South Melbourne home.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LORD Mayor Robert Doyle says he may have to move house to keep his family safe after activists paint-bombed his South Melbourne home.
Cr Doyle said family always came first and would discuss moving with his wife Emma.
Paint was thrown against the front wall of the home about 1.30am on Monday.
A group of homeless activists and anarchists, The Street Artists for Doyle Collective, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Today Cr Doyle said he was angry and disappointed, saying that public figures’ home and families were “seriously off limits”.
“I’m angry about it, but not for me. In public life you have to cop it, those slings and those arrows. But why you would drag my wife and my three-year-old into this is beyond me,’’ he said.
Victoria Police said Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating.
“A number of items containing coloured paint were thrown against the front wall of the property causing damage to the home about 1.30am (on Monday),” Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said.
Police were hoping to review to the CCTV footage from the night.
A note left by the vandals threatened Cr Doyle’s colleagues.
“The note is sinister in a way. It talks about targeting my colleagues ... they know where their houses are and they’re prepared to use that knowledge. And that goes beyond a simple protest,’’ Cr Doyle said.
The note also referred to the family’s neighbours.
Cr Doyle said moving was an option even if it meant backing down.
“Always family first, always, regardless of the other inconveniences.
“You don’t like to back down to these sorts of cowardly attacks but that’s something I’ll talk to Emma about.’’
The self-titled “The Street artists for Doyle Collective” have claimed the attack.
“Our action involved throwing paint bombs at the facade of his million dollar home,” the group said online.
“Our intention was to send a message to Doyle and his wealthy politico-scum colleagues, that we have the ability to identify their homes and make their lives uncomfortable anytime we choose”.
In late February, Cr Doyle was forced to call police after protesters gathered outside his inner-city home.
PROTESTERS ABUSE NEIGHBOURS, LITTER STREET OUTSIDE LORD MAYOR’S HOUSE
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.