Traders say St Kilda overrun with crime, drug users

The heart of St Kilda has been likened to Skid Row, with drug users shooting up in front of families and brawls breaking out in broad daylight.

Traders in St Kilda say they are “working in fear” as drug users openly inject in front of families and fights break out in broad daylight.

The Herald Sun has spoken to several traders in Acland, Barkly and Fitzroy streets who say crime in the tourist area is “getting worse” amid ongoing public drug use, violence, anti-social behaviour and theft.

Shocking footage obtained by the Herald Sun shows drug users loading up needles for injection inside a laundromat on Barkly St in broad daylight.

Footage also shows a fight breaking out on Acland St shocking onlookers.

Other images show a man, who retail workers say was clearly intoxicated and on drugs, passed out on the footpath in Acland St.

One trader, who asked not to be identified due to safety concerns, said he was “working in fear”.

Two men with drug paraphernalia on Acland St St Kilda. Picture: Supplied

He is now selling up his retail shop on Acland St after only buying it six months ago.

“Drug users are injecting at the front of my shop in front of customers that are sometimes young families, it’s very confronting,” the trader told the Herald Sun.

“There are also drug deals behind my shop almost everyday – I called the police last week at least six times.

“I’ve had to put my shop up for sale because I am working in fear and so are my workers. This used to be a well-known tourist destination but it’s become something like Skid Row.”

Skid Row is a neighbourhood in downtown Los Angeles that is notorious for its homeless population and open drug use.

Another St Kilda trader, Colleen, who has worked on Acland St for seven years, said the issue of crime and anti-social behaviour was “getting worse”.

“I’m seeing drug use, people excessively drinking alcohol, shoplifting, it’s getting worse,” she said.

A group brawling in public in St Kilda.

“I think police are doing their best, they always turn up when we call them. In my view it’s the council, they’ve put the issue in the too hard basket.”

Port Phillip Councillor Andrew Bond said it was “not uncommon” for traders and residents to contact him regarding their concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.

“St Kilda has always been a suburb that has been a little bit edgy, but at the moment there is blatant drug use on the streets and footpaths, the police need to come down and address these issues,” Cr Bond said.

St Kilda Senior Sergeant Anthony Town said the latest Crime Statistics Agency data showed overall drug related offending across Acland and Fitzroy streets in St Kilda is at its lowest levels in five years.

The latest data covers the year to June.

“Despite the low levels of offending, local police are doing everything possible to ensure the local community is not only is safe, but importantly, feels safe,” Sen-Sgt Town said.

A man passed out on at St Kilda footpath. Picture: Supplied

“Just last week St Kilda police ran a proactive operation in the area targeting street-level drug offending, leading to 18 drug diversions and two cannabis cautions being issued.

“Police will continue to conduct high visibility patrols and run operations such as these to ensure criminal and anti-social activity, including drug-related offending, remains at low levels.”

Port Phillip Council acting Mayor Tim Baxter said the council acknowledged the concerns of some traders and residents, adding council officers would continue to support Victoria Police’s policing efforts.

“Our council works closely with Victoria Police and local support services to help address the often complex issues surrounding crime and drug use and to help the vulnerable and those in crisis,” Cr Baxter said.