Police launch 35 safe zones in Victoria for Facebook Marketplace deals

Assaults, robberies and thefts from dodgy Facebook Marketplace deals are hoped to be reduced due to 35 new ‘safe zones’ for buyers and sellers. SEE WHERE THEY ARE

A spate of shocking robberies and thefts while trading goods on Facebook Marketplace is among the incidents that has led to Victoria police introducing 35 new “safe zones” to exchange goods.

Buyers and sellers have previously reported being assaulted while having their goods and cash stolen by dodgy online customers.

Mobile phones are the most commonly stolen items during marketplace deals made at private homes, personal workplaces and car parks.

Victoria Police will on Monday announce 35 dedicated exchange zones outside 24-hour police stations across the state in a bid to end related thefts and assaults.

The areas have good CCTV coverage to make it safer to make a deal online.

A successful six-month trial of the sites in Melbourne’s northeast saw a notable decrease in the number of violent robberies associated with the trades.

Locations for the 35 sites include Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Caulfield, Moonee Ponds, Pakenham, St Kilda, Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura, Morwell and Warrnambool.

Victoria Police Commander Tim Tully said the sites provided a better alternative than meeting a stranger in an area with no CCTV.

“While the overall number of assaults, thefts and robberies connected to online exchanges is low, we don’t want to see any occur,” he said.

“With the popularity of buying and selling items via online marketplaces continuing to grow, this initiative is all about police getting on the front foot to ensure an emerging crime theme doesn’t become an embedded trend.

“Police suggest meeting during daylight hours if possible and bringing someone with you to the exchange.”