Police and locals have expressed concern over several recent violent confrontations at and near the Castle Hill metro station in Sydney’s north-west, including a robbery involving a knife and children.
There has been an increase in foot traffic in and around the adjoining shopping mall since the metro line was extended, which some locals have blamed for an increase in violent offences.
A police officer at Castle Hill shopping centre on Thursday.Credit: Oscar Colman
Crime Manager of The Hills Police Area Command, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Laird, said that four young people arrived at the Castle Towers shopping centre to buy food about 4pm on Wednesday.
While they were walking through the food court on level 3, a 16-year-old boy and an unknown male – one allegedly armed with a 30-centimetre machete – stopped two children at the top of the escalators and robbed them of $100 and other belongings.
Soon after, the victims saw two teenagers at Castle Hill metro station and called the police, who arrested a 16-year-old. The other alleged offender fled.
“During a search of the area, police found a Platypus bag containing a 30-centimetre machete, and a beige hoodie belonging to one of the victims,” Laird said.
“The accused was taken to Castle Hill police station and charged with four counts of robbery in company and will appear in a Children’s Court later this month.”
Police said this was one of a number of violent confrontations at or near the station on Wednesday.
After the food court robbery, they received information that another armed theft was being planned, causing them to put a call-out on Facebook for people to contact them if they see “large groups of youths congregating at Castle Hill Metro with their faces covered”.
Jenna Strachab, who works at Pizza Hut in the food court where the robbery took place, said she saw police chase and tackle a 16-year-old at the metro station after she finished work.
She said she had seen an increase in the number of teenagers gathering and acting aggressively since the metro line was extended and had brought more foot traffic through the centre.
Pizza Hut worker Jenna Strachan watched police tackle an alleged knife-wielding offender.Credit: Oscar Colman
On August 19, the new section of the M1 Line from Chatswood to Sydenham opened, which included a 15.5-kilometre extension of the existing Metro Northwest line from Chatswood, below the harbour, under the Sydney CBD and on to Sydenham.
One local woman, who chose not to be named for privacy reasons, said she called the police last month over a similar robbery in between the metro station and the Castle Towers shopping centre.
“A group of teenagers wearing hoodies and masks looked like they were holding something like a knife and asked two teenagers for their jewellery and money,” she said.
“They ran off, but I tried to make sure the kids who were robbed were OK, and I called the police. I’m not sure if they found them.”
Reject Shop manager Brennan Corrigan says she has seen young people getting involved in fights.Credit: Oscar Colman
Brennan Corrigan, who manages the Reject Shop, said she had seen young people getting involved in fights outside the station recently.
“I have definitely noticed the number of young people coming through has increased lately, and they’re often yelling and fighting,” she said.
“It is a concern if there are weapons being used. But I haven’t seen that as I’m usually focused on what’s happening inside my shop.”
Corrigan, who works at several stores across Sydney, said the problem of young people gathering in groups and acting out was a common occurrence anywhere with heavy foot traffic.
The Castle Hill metro station.Credit: Oscar Colman
“Of course, there is probably more of it now that there’s even more people around … the metro could have maybe one or two more security guards,” she said.
“But the security that is here is great, and Castle Hill is quite a bougie area, so there’s not too much trouble around compared to other areas.”
Echoing those thoughts was barber Jasem Basgir, whose shop sits next to where Wednesday’s robbery occurred.
“I honestly didn’t know that happened,” he said.
Castle Towers barber Jasem Basgir said he feels safe and hasn’t seen any violent young people.Credit: Oscar Colman
“There are kids being loud around here, but I don’t see violence. I feel safe here. My biggest issue is trying to get more customers since the new food court opened and people went there, so hopefully there will be more people in here with the extension of the metro.”
Police are reviewing CCTV of the area following Wednesday’s robbery and are still looking for the second alleged offender.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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