St Kilda residents say they’re living in fear amid claims of rising crime and drug use

St Kilda residents and business owners say they’re living in fear, claiming their suburb looks more like a lawless crime zone than a beachside tourist hotspot.

Fed-up residents and business owners of St Kilda are calling for action as they say their suburb now resembles a lawless crime zone world more than a beachside tourist spot.

So desperate have locals become they have started a petition on Change.org to “urge our government to take necessary actions” as “fear controls the lives of the locals”.

From instances of unwarranted aggression, cars and homes being broken into, drugs being openly taken on the streets with used needles littering the ground, locals claim it has never been as bad as it is right now.

The petition also mentions the “prevailing homelessness” that they believe is a driving force behind the antisocial behaviour in the area.

The City of Port Phillip said they had plans in place to help tackle the problem, including the development of a Community Safety Plan, but they emphasised the problem wasn’t a localised one.

St Kilda locals say ‘prevailing homelessness’ is a driving force behind the antisocial behaviour in the area. Picture: Mark Stewart

Police say they continue to patrol community areas in St Kilda.

“Unfortunately crime occurs everywhere and, as a busy inner City municipality, we are not immune,” they said.

“We empathise with residents and traders who are experiencing or concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour in St Kilda.

“The response from our newly elected Council includes an upcoming community safety round table meeting of key stakeholders.

“Our website outlines what we are already doing as a council to enhance community safety.

“We will be encouraging community feedback as we develop a new Community Safety Plan over the next 12 months.”

However locals say that isn’t enough, soon enough, and local council officers need to be given more power to combat the issue now.

Locals say homlessness is on the rise in St Kilda. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It’s high time we demand that the local council, alongside the police force, take proactive steps to clean up our streets,” a spokesperson for the group said. “And not just from a safety perspective, but from a social one.

“Our local heroes, the Port Phillip local law officers, can, and should, play a more significant role.

“They have the authority to contact police on behalf of the community when illegal activity is spotted, but that’s not enough.

“We need more local law and police officers, more engagement, and a commitment from both local and state authorities to keep our streets safe.”.

But police say crime in the area is actually on the decline. Picture: Mark Stewart

Police says they remain aware of ongoing issues in St Kilda. Picture: Josie Hayden

A spokesman for Victoria Police said despite the locals’ concerns, crime levels were actually down in the suburb, however, they are still conscious of ongoing issues there.

“Overall crime in St Kilda is at its lowest level since 2018, with violent crimes against the person also on the decline,” they said.

“Based on the latest crime data, you have a one in 130,000 chance of being robbed or a one in 15,000 chance of being assaulted.

“While this is positive, property crimes are an area of ongoing concern – not just in St Kilda, but across the state.

“This is why St Kilda Police continue to patrol busy community locations and areas where offending has previously occurred to deter offending and make quick arrests.”

Originally published as St Kilda residents say they’re living in fear amid claims of rising crime and drug use