By Adam Carey
Private security guards have begun to patrol Melbourne’s city streets, accompanying council officers in a six-week trial that will target anti-social behaviour including aggressive begging, street drinking and drug taking.
The short trial – described as unprecedented but also a second-best option by Lord Mayor Nick Reece – could become permanent if it is deemed to be successful.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece with two private security guards who will patrol the city streets with local laws officers.Credit: Penny Stephens
The trial, which began on Friday, has been timed to coincide with a busy visitor period when Melbourne hosts the Formula 1 grand prix and Moomba Festival, and the city centre hosts an influx of international students beginning the university year.
It will involve two security guards employed by private company Crownland Security, after Victoria Police turned down the Melbourne City Council’s request for dedicated police to accompany local laws officers on street patrol.
The local laws officers and their two guards would target trouble areas for threatening and anti-social behaviour, including Elizabeth, Swanston and Bourke streets, Reece said.
The guards will have power to physically restrain, but not arrest, people.
“This is a big move and an unprecedented step,” Reece said.
“I have made no secret of the fact I would like to see a stronger police presence on the streets of Melbourne, and this is a second-best solution, but we’re not waiting around. We need to keep moving forward. And so we are putting security guards on our streets to help keep our local law officers safe.”
There were 37 reported incidents of violence towards council staff enforcing local laws on Melbourne’s streets in 2023 and 2024.
The trial is part of a $13 million council investment in city safety and will be assessed before the council’s May budget, including community consultation.
Flinders Lane resident Paul Crapper said the extent of anti-social behaviour on the streets around his apartment building meant many of his neighbours no longer felt safe, even during daylight hours.
Crapper, who said he was once hit in the head by a substance-affected stranger while walking his dog at 7.30am, welcomed the trial, but said he would prefer to see police be more active in the area.
“To be honest, it’s a policing issue … They don’t move people on,” he said. “The City of Melbourne are doing this trial basically to fill a void.”
A resident of the CBD for the past 14 years, Crapper said the problem was far worse today than when he moved into the area, and that homelessness and rough sleeping in the city was more widespread.
Johnny Sandish, owner of Xpressomondo cafe in Degraves Street, says anti-social behaviour is getting worse in the CBD.Credit: Penny Stephens
Degraves Street cafe owner Johnny Sandish agreed that anti-social behaviour had worsened in the area, with increasing incidences of theft and aggression.
“It’s not safe any more,” he said. “Every day there are drugs, thieves and people who, if they see someone dining, they will come and annoy them for no reason.”
Victoria Police said in January it had rejected the council’s request for two officers to be assigned to protect council staff enforcing local laws, stating: “Our primary focus is targeting and, where possible, stopping serious and violent crimes from occurring.”
Melbourne’s security move follows a council debate in neighbouring Port Phillip last month over a notice of motion to explicitly prohibit rough sleeping on council land or footpaths.
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