Thursday, 31 October 2024

 Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (21:51): (1247) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police. It is no secret that the Bridge Street area in Ballarat, particularly near the bus station, has been a hotspot for antisocial behaviour and criminal behaviour for some time. I recently met with a number of constituents in the area who have witnessed and been the victim of some awful situations. Staff members in the supermarkets of Coles and Woolworths face abuse on a regular basis, with workers as young as 15 years old subject to intimidation, swearing, bullying and harassment. Other staff members have seen gangs of youth come into the store, sometimes a dozen, sometimes up to 30, and cause complete havoc by throwing things off shelves, abusing staff, running around the store, disturbing customers and creating an environment that nobody wants to be near. These gangs of youths involve people as young as eight years old who clearly have other challenges in their life for which they need support. When confronted in the store these young people yell ‘Rape!’ or they yell ‘I’ve been touched’ at security guards, police officers and staff, immediately triggering, among other things, a paperwork trail and a legal nightmare for those trying to protect themselves, their stock and the store. Workers are forced to let criminals and youths walk out with literally hundreds of dollars worth of goods for fear of confrontation and, worse, recrimination. It has been reported to me that some staff have been followed to their car or to a nearby bus shelter, property has been graffitied and locals know not to be in the area after dark. Known criminals also frequent the area. One such man – a known burglar who has served prison time – and his gang have been responsible for defecating on a nearby front lawn.

Locals have said to me, ‘Why would anyone go there?’ Why would anyone not go there? They have got food, public transport and public toilets nearby. This is all despite the Ballarat police station being all of 300 metres away from the precinct. However, police feel powerless as well, given Labor’s move-on laws. My request to the minister is: please do something about the safety in the precinct. I will happily convene a meeting. We can meet locals and listen to their concerns. Urgent action is needed before more people, more customers and more elderly are terrorised beyond belief.