Anti-Semitic incidents and abuse from injecting room users towards VGCCC staff drives office out of Richmond

The head of a major government agency says her staff no longer feel safe walking through Richmond due to the abuse, drug dealing and violence on the streets.

A major state agency will move out of its Richmond office amid a spate of staff being subjected to physical assaults and verbal abuse from users of the nearbymedically supervised injecting roomand a rise in anti-Semitic incidents.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s decision to leave its Victoria St office in August, when the lease runs out, to move into the CBD lays bare the issues residents and workers are left to cope with from the North Richmond medically supervised injecting rooms.

VGCCC chief executive Annette Kimmitt outlined her concerns for staff safety in the Victoria St precinct in a letter, seen by the Herald Sun.

The VGCCC will relocate from their Victoria St office due to staff safety concerns. Picture: Supplied

“Feedback from staff (including our most recent People Matter survey) reflects growing fear for personal safety while at work and when travelling to and from the office,” she said in the letter.

“We continue to witness and experience other anti-social and criminal activity, including drug and alcohol-related violence, drug dealing and other intimidating behaviour.

“Colleagues have witnessed the brazen exchange of cash for drugs, people injecting drugs near the building and subsequently large numbers of dangerously discarded syringes.”

Anti-Semitic graffiti and stickers put near the VGCCC office in Richmond.

Ms Kimmitt said increasing anti-Semitic material – such as graffiti, posters and stickers – was also creating an unsafe environment for the agency’s 200 employees.

“Many staff feel unsafe walking alone, even in daylight hours and now avoid going out during their breaks,” she said.

“Those that do venture out travel in groups and report a higher level of anxiety and fear in anticipation of what they may confront outside our office doors.

“Several violent and distressing incidents have also been experienced by staff including physical assault, verbal abuse and racial epithets.”

VGCCC workers have been subjected to abuse from users of the nearby medically supervised injecting rooms. Picture: David Geraghty

Ms Kimmitt expressed sympathy for the remaining traders along Victoria St, who would be disadvantaged by the decision to relocate the VGCCC.

“Our relocation will impact the many hardworking small businesses, particularly the food outlets that rely on our foot traffic,” she said.

Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly said a dedicated plan to revitalise the area was needed, with more police, financial support for existing businesses and a plan to attract new traders to the area.

“What we are seeing is a ghetto in the making and we have to stop it,” he said.

“We definitely need a multifaceted approach to improving Victoria St – but it is fixable.”

“It’s like Disneyland for drug users,” Cr Jolly later told 3AW on Thursday.

“You can get there by train or tram, there’s plenty of people that will sell you the drugs, there’s plenty of nice houses in Abbotsford and North Richmond you can rob to get the money for the drugs, and there’s even a supervised injecting facility that you can shoot up in. It’s just disastrous for the locals.”

An anti-Semitic poster near the VGCCC office in Richmond.

A Victorian government spokesman said more than $14m had been invested to boost security in North Richmond to improve safety.

“This includes capital works, additional security cameras, strengthened co-ordination with Victoria Police, and expanded outreach services to reduce public injecting, prevent overdoses, and connect people to support sooner,” he said.

“Anti-Semitism has no place in Victoria, and we are leaving no stone unturned to eradicate it here in Victoria – working to stop incidents of anti-Semitism and to ensure that those responsible are found and face the full force of the law.”

Mr Jolly said the Victorian government also needed to establish another medically supervised injecting room in another part of Melbourne to reduce the strain being felt by locals.

“The people of North Richmond just need a chop out,” he said.