Hobart CBD, North Hobart, Sandy Bay employees too scared to go to work amid growing youth crime wave

Workers are being “bullied, harassed and threatened” by youth gangs with some too scared to go to work in Hobart’s key retail precincts. WHAT’S BEING DONE >

Workers are being “bullied, harassed and threatened” by gangs of young people with some too scared to go to work in Hobart’s key retail precincts as police confirm they are grappling with an increase in youth crime.

Retailers in the Hobart CBD, North Hobart and Sandy Bay are frustrated at brazen shoplifting, broken windows and doors, abuse and threats from teenage gangs.

North Hobart Traders Association president Lisa Martin said traders met on Thursday and she said she had never been to a meeting “where people were beside themselves and asking ‘what can we do?’

North Hobart Traders Association president Lisa Martin. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Three businesses I have spoken to have lost staff because they don’t want to come to work to be bullied, harassed and threatened,” she said.

“Unless we stand up it will continue and they’ll keep intimidating us.”

Ms Martin said two girls had come into her newsagency recently and stole two boxes of football cards worth $100, while a boy on a bicycle waited outside.

She said one of the staff members wanted to pursue the youths but she talked him out of it.

“I told him ‘nothing in this shop is worth your life’,” Ms Martin said.

“I’ve never seen anything so brazen.”

Ms Martin said she remembered when North Hobart shopkeeper 68-year-old Voula Delios was working alone in her grocery shop when she was stabbed and killed seven years ago.

The association is likely to write to the Police Minister to raise their concerns about the increase in unlawful behaviour.

Police southern district Commander Jason Elmer said while there had been a decline in youth offending over the past 10 years, “we are currently experiencing an increase in youth crime, particularly relating to repeat youth offenders”.

“While we know that a lot of these youths come from complex backgrounds and not all youth offenders are repeat offenders - we are concerned by the growing element of youths who are recidivist offenders,” he said.

“Our frontline officers are working hard tackling youth crime, however, they are also increasingly faced with challenging issues when dealing with repeat youth offenders.

“It’s frustrating but we’re determined to make a difference.”

Hobart alderman Marti Zucco is angry at the “escalating youth crime”.

“They swear, abuse and threaten people,” he said. “They take anything and everything and smash windows and doors.”

Shane Tillie, Acting police association president and Commander Jason Elmer, Education and training commander. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Zucco said traders feared if they raised concerns “they will be targeted more than they are now”.

Small Business Council chief Robert Mallett said police were “trying their hardest”,

“We need to find diversionary activities so vulnerable and impressionable young people do not want to be part of these gangs,” he said.

“I’ve had an upset father ring me twice because his daughter works in a shop in the city and has been followed to the bus stop after work and is scared.

“Shoplifting in our community is rife.”

Commander Elmer said police worked closely with other agencies to deal with recidivist youth offenders.

“We are targeting anti-social behaviour of these repeat youth offenders, and taking a zero-tolerance approach in taking action, and where appropriate charging them and bringing them before a Magistrate,” he said.

“High visibility patrols are focusing on problem areas, particularly during specific times when large numbers of people, including youths, are known to congregate.

“Police are committed to protecting the community and local businesses and detecting and preventing anti-social and unlawful behaviour with the aim of making our public spaces safer for everyone.”