Melbourne crime: Baseball bats in short supply as residents arm themselves

UPDATE: ACTING police minister Tim Pallas urged people not to take matters into their own hands after baseball bats are reportedly in short supply in Melbourne’s west as scared residents arm themselves.

Baseball bats are reportedly in short supply across Melbourne’s west as frightened residents arm themselves. Picture: Thinkstock

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BASEBALL bats are reportedly in short supply across Melbourne’s west as frightened residents arm themselves.

Though police are urging people not to take the law into their own hands, residents have formed makeshift neighbourhood watch groups following recent violent home invasions across Melbourne.

Have you armed yourself against intruders? Email: [e-mail]

One caller told 3AW Breakfast’s Rumour File one leading Watergardens sports store had run out of bats.

“And it ain’t because of an influx of baseball players,” he said.

Many others then rang into the station saying they had begun to arm themselves with a range of household items including golf clubs, hair spray and even spear guns.

Locals say they have begun to patrol the streets at night, and keep in constant contact with each other to warn of any suspicious activity.

Acting police minister Tim Pallas urged people not to take matters into their own hands.

“The idea that people might get to a point where they actually seek to use physical violence against intruders only puts you in harms way,” he said.

“The police tell us that the best and most appropriate thing to do is to avoid conflict at all costs otherwise you put yourself and your family at risk.

Mr Pallas said people would be better to check their home security to block access by intruders.

He defended the government’s investments in police resources, and said there was a rising level of reoffending by young criminals that needed to be dealt with.

YOUTH CRIME SUMMIT

EDUCATION and job opportunities for the young and what drives violent behaviour are among issues to be examined at the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner’s Youth Summit on Thursday.

Top cop Graham Ashton will address around 200 leaders from government departments, agencies and community organisations to kick off the event, supported by the Herald Sun.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton. Picture: Alex Coppel

Criminology expert Prof Mark Halsey, from Flinders University, and Salvation Army youth services manager Hayley Troemml-Wilson will also address the gathering tackling young people’s involvement in serious and violent crime.

The discussion will include education and employment, personal safety and victimisation, vulnerability to violent behaviour, mental health and substance misuse.

Mr Ashton said a broader understanding of what was driving youth crime was needed if recidivism was to be addressed.

“This summit for me is an opportunity to learn about the factors — but also importantly what do we have to do, and who’s got to do what to address the issues,’’ he said.

An understanding of the role of parents was also important, he said.

AFL Victoria, the Australian Drug Foundation, Berry Street, Crime Statistics Agency, Education Department, Justice Department, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Federation of Community Legal Centres, Islamic Council of Victoria, Law Institute Victoria Parliament of Victoria, Police Association of Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid and Youth Affairs Council are among organisations attending.

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