St Kilda traders call for more police after rising drug use

Tram drivers claim one of Australia’s most iconic shopping districts is so unsafe, they have considered not travelling through it. 

Traders, residents and even tram drivers in one of Melbourne’s most popular retail districts are calling for an increased police presence, as public drug use and fighting continues to rise.

Speaking to local radio on Tuesday afternoon, a man claiming to be a tram driver told radio station 3AW that multiple female tram drivers had been assaulted in recent weeks, including one having had a knife pulled on her.

The man said the issue had become so severe, tram drivers had discussed not travelling to Acland St.

The claims come as City of Port Phillip councillor Andrew Bond said he was called daily by traders on St Kilda’s Fitzroy and Acland streets concerned by rising safety issues.

“Traders and residents are not getting the police presence they need,” Mr Bond, who lives locally, told NCA NewsWire.

Traders on Acland St, St Kilda say they need a greater police presence to rejuvenate the area. Picture: Supplied

Footage obtained by the Herald Sun shows drug users fighting on Acland St in broad daylight and another man shooting up inside a laundromat during the day.

Mr Bond said drug use and anti-social behaviour had always been a problem in St Kilda, but the issue had increased in recent years.

He said he regularly received feedback from traders to the effect that they had called police, who had told them they were too busy to attend.

Diners eating and drinking on Acland St, St Kilda. Picture: Visit Victoria

Mr Bond said the council had also written to then police minister Lisa Neville, requesting more police resources in St Kilda, particularly in Acland and Fitzroy Sts, however they were told that extra police weren’t required.

“The vast majority of residents and traders disagreed with that,” he said.

Fitzroy Street Traders Association head David Blakeley told NCA NewsWire the area – in particular Acland St – had been hit severely by Covid-19.

City of Port Phillip councillor Andrew Bond said he received daily calls from local traders complaining about public drug use and anti-social behaviour. Picture: City of Port Phillip

“Lots of shops closed down,” Mr Blakeley said.

“Empty shops attract social problems.”

Mr Blakeley said traders and residents would like to see laws on public drinking, drug taking and dealing dealt with in the same manner police tackle St Kilda Beach.

“To restore social amenity for all, especially residents and traders, we need a stronger and more consistent police presence on our streets,” he said.

The tram driver said there had been discussions between police and the union as to whether they should continue to drive down Acland St.

“At night, after 6pm, all drivers have to have a security guard if they want to go to the toilet,” the man said.

“If you don’t give them a smoke or money, they push you, or they spit at you, or they swear at you.”

St Kilda Senior Sergeant Anthony Town was quoted in the Herald Sun as saying drug-related offending in St Kilda was at its lowest for five years.

Victoria’s Police Minister and the Department of Transport was contacted by NCA NewsWire.